bamboo

i'm nearly there with my pond.

I'd like to know if there is a bamboo species which is not invasive.
I have an enclosure made of bricks which would limit root grow, could this be a soution?

regards,

 

Fargesia and Borinda species are the amoungst the most behaved that are available in the UK.

All phyllostachys species will run, although some dont really run too much in the UK due to our climate, and can be controlled. the common ones like black bamboo (P.nigra) and Golden bamboo (P aurea) are not too bad but will start to wander after a few years. The big ones like Vivax will take over given a chance.

A root barrier will control them, but this should generally be at least 2 feet deep, and the bricks must be cemented together or they will get through the gaps.

Avoid sasa species and pseudosasa japonica as they are very invasisve.

 

Be aware be very aware of all bamboo invading is what they do best it's the nature of the beast, i've seen them burst out of containers.:eek:

 

There is a product available to create a barrier - known usually as a rhizome barrier (eg http://www.lewisbamboo.com/barrier.html). However it is expensive, a large bamboo can pierce tough plastic pots and plastic such as pond liner. Stick with fargesia as its not nearly so tough or invasive.

 

The Black bamboo has kept its place with me very well
I have also found Nitida to be very well behaved, and probably the safest of them all