Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Medium height hedgy bamboo in a small space

DiggyDiggersonDiggyDiggerson Posts: 16
in Plants
Hi all,

I'd like to plant some bamboo in a couple of spaces either side of the arch in the pictures below (on this side of the arch). It'll be partly to create some privacy as there are neighbour windows behind it to the right, and partly because we just like bamboo. 



Ideally it'd not be too tall (eventual height around 2m, 3m max as that's the height of the archway) and not necessarily hugely dense, so some dappled light still finds its way onto the patio and the windows behind. Of course, pruning would also be ok. 

The planting spaces (pictured) measure 70cmx27cm and 25cm deep. At the moment they are full of stones and stony soil. As these little spaces are self contained maybe we could look at more invasive types? Or perhaps that wouldn't work because of the limited depth.



Also open to plant types other than bamboo if they sound like they'll suit our needs better.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We love bamboos and have had them in our garden for years, all different kinds. We were assured that they were non invasive. No such thing. Even with a very thick deep metal band around them inthe soil they have still spread and in some cases many feet away from the parent plant and continued under paths and concrete slabs before "popping" up.
    So don't plant bamboo in this situation.

  • DiggyDiggersonDiggyDiggerson Posts: 16
    @bertrand-mabel thanks for the reply, that's interesting.
    Do you know if you can plant them in troughs? Perhaps if I could get the right size in stone I could inset these into the spaces some way to stop them spreading. 
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Yes you can put them in troughs but remember that they have drainage holes and the bamboo will try to escape. They will also have to be watered a lot as the troughs will dry out more than the ground.
    My husband has also used heavy rubberised material to encircle them and they have still escaped.
    We do though still like them especially when the wind blows and they sway about.
  • lily6lily6 Posts: 79
    We have Fargesia 'Red Dragon' planted in an old galvanised cattle trough. 3 years in they are starting to bush out abit, mainly in full shade. So far so good, I did an awful lot of research before deciding what to plant. We love them and the trough, easier on the eye than a bare wall, especially in Winter. 
  • lily6lily6 Posts: 79
    Maybe consider Actinidia instead? 
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    How about Clematis armandii? It is an evergreen shrub very vigorous once it gets going but can be cut back easily. Flowers early/mid spring with creamy white fragrant flowers.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    I have a clump of a Fargesia bamboo (never known the exact variety, it was a gift) that has been growing in a shady and damp situation for getting on for 20 years. In that time it has increased to maybe 5 times its original size, but only in the way border perennials like Phlox increase - as a clump.
    And it would actually look a bit smaller if I ever get around to cutting out the dead canes!
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Definitely stick to a fargesia type in that situation, something like fargesia nitida is a little narrower than most. I think a pot or a trough is a good idea as even the better behaved, clumping types like fargesia can bulk out underground and will compete with your climbers for water, nutrients and root space.

    @Treeface I hate to tell you this, but P. Aurea may take it’s time to get going but is an absolute, invasive beast! I have some planted by the previous owner, it is about 8 metres tall and it is a constant battle to keep it under control as it runs like crazy and pops up all over the place, as much as 10m from the original plants. 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • DiggyDiggersonDiggyDiggerson Posts: 16
    Thanks for the thoughts all!

    I think we're going to try the Clementis Armandii instead, (thanks @bertrand-mabel)
    to avoid anything getting too out of control or dense in that area. Maybe try my luck with one of the fargesia type bamboos in another part of the garden later on.


Sign In or Register to comment.