Bamboo or kerria?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Loofah, Sep 25, 2013.

?

Kerria or bamboo?

  1. Kerria

    4 vote(s)
    36.4%

  2. Bamboo

    7 vote(s)
    63.6%
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  1. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    As a part of my new border I'm in a quandary. There is one pot about 2ft across sunken into the ground and currently has a kerria in. I also have the option of replacing this with a black bamboo. The kerria is cut to the ground and the bamboo a young plant. See here for what might get planted in the border
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    I can't decide so I've created a poll :)
     
    Loofah, Sep 25, 2013
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  2. Val..

    Val.. Confessed snail lover

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    The bamboo will of course start coming up EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!! :hate-shocked:

    Val
     
    Val.., Sep 25, 2013
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  3. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Hence the pot... Same with the kerria - they both spread like quicksilver
     
    Loofah, Sep 25, 2013
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  4. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    Kerria is common as muck, avoid. No wish to offend anyone who has one ... indeed I have at least two in my garden. Still common as muck IMO.

    My Black bamboo seems to be well behaved and has not, so far, spread outside its clump. I think you would be better to plant with root barrier, rather than a pot, as you would get fatter, and more dramatic, culms after a few years.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
      Kristen, Sep 25, 2013
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    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      It's actually half an old water butt so a really big ring in essence which should hold back the roots from spreading. I think that's the problem I'm having with the kerria, very commonplace, but it might go slightly better with the current plan. My other problem is I really want this bamboo somewhere!
       
      Loofah, Sep 25, 2013
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    • Val..

      Val.. Confessed snail lover

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      So would I if I had room, it's gorgeous!!!!!

      Val
       
      Val.., Sep 25, 2013
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    • Lea

      Lea Super Gardener

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      I'd go for the bamboo. You get the striking shapes, a lovely sound and it can be put to use as well. :)
       
      Lea, Sep 25, 2013
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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      How much colour have you already got in the garden Loofah? If there's very little I'd go for the Kerria and not the Bamboo, vice versa if you have a lot of colour.
       
      Sheal, Sep 25, 2013
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    • Sirius

      Sirius Total Gardener

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      Yup, Phyllostachys nigra does spread, but slowly. It won't go insane in a a hurry.
      Agree that a barrier is a better idea than a pot. A pot will restrict the nutrients, and therefore the canes will be thinner.
       
      Sirius, Sep 27, 2013
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    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      Looks suspiciously like I'll be ripping out the kerria this weekend then :)
       
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        Loofah, Sep 27, 2013
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      • Kristen

        Kristen Under gardener

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        eBay ?

        "Mature beauty seeks centre stage to put on a dazzling act" :)
         
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          Kristen, Sep 27, 2013
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        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          Who says I'm mature?! Oh, you meant the plants...
           
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            Loofah, Sep 27, 2013
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          • Val..

            Val.. Confessed snail lover

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            Can't you keep a little bit of it? It's so pretty!!!!

            Val
             
            Val.., Sep 27, 2013
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          • Loofah

            Loofah Admin Staff Member

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            Just for you Val, I've kept a chunk in a pot ;)
            Bamboo is now planted in the half water butt / ring with a few ferns that will grow in to hide the top of the ring. This is just the first tiny bit of corner really for the new border and I need to wait until I get a new tree to complete the rest...
             
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              Loofah, Sep 30, 2013
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            • Val..

              Val.. Confessed snail lover

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              :pathd:

              Val
               
              Val.., Sep 30, 2013
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