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Golden Bamboo
Hello all.
I searched the forums for answers to this and saw people's differing opinions, but wondered if anyone could shed some light on this.
I fancied having some bamboo in my garden. I heard it could be invasive but heard that clumping bamboo was fine. About two weeks ago I saw some 'Golden Bamboo' in Homebase about 7' tall. It said on the tag 'clumping'.
So I bought it and put it in the bottom of my garden. Now since reading threads in this forum and elsewhere online, I'm quite worried that it's going to run, should I be?
And if so why do they say it's clumping bamboo on the description which comes with it?
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Yes! Bamboo is hard work. It will break out of the toughest pots. I wouldn't have it in my garden.
There's basically two types of bamboo Jack. Some run because the new shoots spread underground and pop up farther away, and these are the kind which can be a problem. The clump formers grow - as the name suggests - in a clump, so they tend to thicken up in the same way as a Phormium with the new shoots all popping up round the main plant which keeps it more controllable. Your own growing conditions can affect how the plants grow, as with any plant, and some people put a physical barrier round them when planting to help contain them - like paving slabs, timber or corrugated metal. The Fargesias are the most common clump forming types. If it says clump forming rather than having a botanical name, it's probably just to make it easier for people to make a choice.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you both. Fairygirl, yes I was thinking I'll have to get some barrier for it. I just couldn't understand why it would say clumping on the tag, then I look up Golden Bamboo online and everywhere seems to say that's it's running???
Sorry to bring it up again Jack, but you have a botanical name? Seriously, there are lots of "golden bamboos" Phylostchys Aurea is the most common. If you've go that one, it's a clumper.
Oh, sorry Hostafan1 I didn't realise this. I seem to have thrown the tag away, so don't know the botanical name.
Schoolboy error Jack!
You could always go back and take a look to see if they have any left. As Hostafan says, there's lots of different varieties but P. Aurea is quite common so there's a good chance it's that.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Cool. Thanks, I'll do that, I think the name looks familiar. So clumping bamboo is fine and won't run off into my neighbours gardens causing havok?
I'm guessint it might be P. Aurea. I'm sure Homebase wouldn't sell a huge range of bamboos,and this one is , rightly , very popular. Watch out for "runners" popping up a distance away from the main plant though,just in case.
OK, will do thank you for your help.
Jack, this internet page from Homebase explains how tall and how wide it will grow and advises a barrier.
http://homebase.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/bamboo/exotics/phyllostachys-aureosulcata-f-spectabilis/classid.1593/