The clumping ones don’t go mad, but they do keep gradually expanding. The previous owner planted 2 nice ones a short distance from a pond, and 15 years later, I do have to cut down new shoots that come up around the pond. I am a bit concerned that they might come through the liner and drain the pond, so I’m trying to cut them back harder this year. It isn’t a major job - once a year keeps them in check so far.
I would never consider the spreading ones. You could be accidentally starting a dispute with justly-incensed neighbours. Also, you’d be surprised how often life gets in the way and you forget to prune a vigorous plant, just once, maybe because it didn’t look too bad, and you were a bit busy, and then you end up with a major problem. They have a way of sneaking up on you and “suddenly” getting enormous.
Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.
We we have got black bamboo and golden bamboo. The black is much better behaved and does not wander too far. But the golden one loves our neighbours garden and goes through all the barriers in place and comes up big and strong next door. We do remove the canes for them. I would never grow bamboo again even though it looks so lovely, but a little plus side is that you get some lovey canes for your plants.
When I removed ours, I contacted a local gardening club and donated dozens of canes to them.
We we have got black bamboo and golden bamboo. The black is much better behaved and does not wander too far. But the golden one loves our neighbours garden and goes through all the barriers in place and comes up big and strong next door. We do remove the canes for them. I would never grow bamboo again even though it looks so lovely, but a little plus side is that you get some lovey canes for your plants.
When I removed ours, I contacted a local gardening club and donated dozens of canes to them.
Good idea.
I mentioned our daughter's garden where there's a service road to allotments immediately behind their back fence.
They just have to chuck any canes they cut, over the fence and all are gratefully received!
I've got golden and black phyllostachys and they are in big containers made out of old pallets that sit above ground level on a concrete base. I wouldn't personally put them in the ground because of some of the monsters I walk passed in the local neighbourhood, including several that are coming up through concrete drives and one, the path itself. They are lovely focal plants but I would only choose a clumper and again only choose it if I was in good health, should I need to do anything. I have a nice fargesia that was slow to establish but it's now boomed in growth and even though it forms a clump it really does put on a lot of growth and takes up a huge amount of space if you let it fan out like it wants it. It's a stunning plant and I have had several neighbours comment on it and ask for pieces.
It certainly looks like the Pseudosasa in my book! It's quite dense, perfect if you want a thick screen but I'm not sure about @punkdoc's impenetrable jungle! Phyllostachys species will give you that open, airy feel when carefully maintained by pruning out the weak canes and allowing the most robust to remain. Fargesia species tend to have finer canes and leaves and a gentler, vase shaped growing habit. If you have a good garden centre or nursery nearby I'd go and look at their range of plants and seek reassurance - there's usually someone in the know who will advise you.
Personally, I would no longer plant any of them, too much trouble, worrying about the future, always looking to see where it's running...even the clumpers can be problematic in the longer term.. better things to plant without the hassle..
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I would never consider the spreading ones. You could be accidentally starting a dispute with justly-incensed neighbours. Also, you’d be surprised how often life gets in the way and you forget to prune a vigorous plant, just once, maybe because it didn’t look too bad, and you were a bit busy, and then you end up with a major problem. They have a way of sneaking up on you and “suddenly” getting enormous.
They are lovely focal plants but I would only choose a clumper and again only choose it if I was in good health, should I need to do anything. I have a nice fargesia that was slow to establish but it's now boomed in growth and even though it forms a clump it really does put on a lot of growth and takes up a huge amount of space if you let it fan out like it wants it. It's a stunning plant and I have had several neighbours comment on it and ask for pieces.
http://www.uk-bamboos.co.uk/Detail-B/pseudosasa_japonica.htm
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border