Black bamboo, Phyllostachys nigra, is a running bamboo unfortunately. If grown in the ground, it will behave well for a few years and then exhibit its genetic disposition to run and eventually form a grove. Apologies if this alarms you but if uncontrolled, running bamboos can eventually cause havoc to their unsuspecting owners and neighbours.
One of the specialist bamboo suppliers in the UK recommends and sells this: Bamboo Root Barrier (50cm) - Big Plant Nursery. You'll also see a list on this site of the types of bamboos sold and descriptions of whether they are clumping or non-clumping.
I grow five different types of bamboo in my garden, both clumping and non-clumping species but have put them in locations where they will be contained either by walling or a solid sandstone seam under one of my borders! I also check and remove any new canes emerging in Spring which might be showing a determination to roam!
Thank you, I was worried about the root barrier as in well they work. Can't the roots go under it and pop up elsewhere in search of a water source?
I really do love the look of bamboo, especially the new black variety coming tomorrow.
Golden bamboo (Phyllostachys Aurea) is also a running, not a clumping type, so I would get them out the ground pronto. There is no such thing as a clumping ‘golden bamboo’ despite some unscrupulous websites miss-selling them as such.
Some of the clumping fargesia species do have subtly coloured stems (e.g Fargesia Nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou ‘Red Panda’ or ‘Black Pearl’) but these are specialist, expensive and slow growing. If you bought standard ‘golden bamboo’ or ‘black bamboo’ these will undoubtedly be Phyllostachys.
As others have said, galvanised metal containers or dustbins propped up on bricks - so no contact with the soil underneath - would be your safest bet - you could always clad these with wooden planks or otherwise disguise them for a more aesthetically pleasing finish.
Some are as you say PHYLLOSTACHYS AUREA from the palm tree company which stated they are less of a problem in a UK climate. But I should not have got carried away with that statement and edged on the side of caution.
I have spent great alot of money on them now so will have to find a solution.
If I purchased whiskey barrels what would be a recommended size?
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Thank you, I was worried about the root barrier as in well they work. Can't the roots go under it and pop up elsewhere in search of a water source?
I really do love the look of bamboo, especially the new black variety coming tomorrow.
https://bamboogiant.co.uk/products/bisset-bamboo-for-sale
Some are as you say PHYLLOSTACHYS AUREA from the palm tree company which stated they are less of a problem in a UK climate. But I should not have got carried away with that statement and edged on the side of caution.
I have spent great alot of money on them now so will have to find a solution.
If I purchased whiskey barrels what would be a recommended size?