Bamboo

Hello Everyone,

I have recently purchased a clumping Bamboo, Phyllostachys Aurea. Do I have to create a barrier to prevent it spreading or as it is a "clump" does that mean it stays put?

 

According to my book ...

'Phyllostachys aurea (also known as Golden bamboo or Fish pole bamboo) Eventual height - 5 metres: Eventual spread - 6 metres'.

That kinda tells you all you need to know really.

 

Barrier it is then. Thankyou Fidgetsmum.:lollol:

 

Hi Nina
I usually dig up any spreading roots each year......Remember you are in charge......You dictate how far it spreads...:thumb:

 

About ten years ago, I dug up a clump that was about two feet in diameter, that was half way down the border in our garden. I split it into about a dozen small clumps with a sharp spade.
I've now a "stand" of about ten feet aross by about eighteen inches deep in the border hard up against the back fence of our garden. I've cheated a bit as there's a horizontal retaining wire about three feet up that stops any thin ones leaning forwards. I've not put any thing down to stop it spreading as the original clump had only grown slightly larger.
But if any of the little so and so's started to creep forward I'd "blow the whistle" and soon beat 'em back, actually I prune them off and use them as plant supports elsewhere, but there's never more than half a dozen a year. After about ten years the stand has just got thicker. "I'm sure there's tigers in there."

 

The Bamboo looks great D R, hope you get on well with your neighbour lol!!.
glad you don't live next to me though :hehe:


Pete

 

Thanks for that Pete, but it's of a "non travelling" variety. I had a look over the week-end at the neighbour's garden when I was changing some fence panels and everything's fine. I realise "bamboo knows no borders" but I didn't expect anything else, as there's been not one rhizome appeared on my side.

 

that's good D R, your bamboo really look impressive,
good to know it's not invasive, some varieties are a
nightmare aren't they.

Pete

 

Your Bamboo looks fantastic DR, thats exactly the look we are going for and its alongside a Wisteria too. Will take your tips on board when we are "training" it to behave!

 

I trimmed mine back a bit at the week-end, removing a dozen or so canes along the front of the stand. I've had to raise the retaining wire about a foot or so to stop the fronds leaning over too far, I also cut a few off but it still looks OK.
That grass gets taller every year despite (or because) being cut right back each year.

I've had a problem with some of the other grasses in that bed, several didn't like our winters, so those that don't mind them I've spread out, it's a shame but there you go. I'm thinking of sticking a few dahlias in the front centre for next year to add a bit of colour...other than green!

 

Well mine is still a wee baby but hoping it will be grow and grow and grow, want it to be tall to block out horrid neighbour (thats a long story) We are planning to put a pergola up, if not before the winter early next spring, to help the wisteria whichis growing so well. Except when said Horid nighbout hacks it down and chucks it back over the fence.

We have planted a Eucalyptus too which you can just see a little bit of in the photo and that is also growing really well, although the trunk is very thin. It was quite pot bound when we bought it. I'm worried it wont survive winter winds, we did find it leaning on the kiddies playhouse on return from our hols! Any advice on how to support it would be welcome.

P.S The grass looks much better now after some TLC and lots of lovely rain

 

Check those side shoots on your wisteria, at this time of the year it'll be chucking them out like nobody's business. They each need to be constantly cut back to a couple of inches from the main stem, this will direct the energy of the plant to go where you want it to grow and not where it wants to go.

 

Thanks DR, It does grow so fast. From what I can gather you are a Wisteria expert so will take your tips and get snipping. I have cut it back once or twice recently but it just keeps on coming.....much to my neighbours annoyance!

 

Thank you for your kind words, but I'm far from an expert. I've just related my own experiences.