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Willow or Bamboo screen?

greenlovegreenlove Posts: 164
in Tools and techniques

I'm looking to screen the bottom of the garden fence so that it brings out more the plants I have planted there. Am I best getting a willow screen or a thick bambo screen? Which one lasts longer? Are they prone to bending if exposed to the sun for long periods? And finally anyone recommend a place (website or shop) that sells good quality ones?

Thank you.

Posts

  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Hi, out of those options, ive only brought the reed screen, bit its been up for ages, despite my dodgy installation! Primrose (garden website) are very good, but i also saw some in my local poundstretcher image
  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184

    We have bamboo and it certainly serves it purpose, however, it spreads like mad if unchecked and is difficult to keep on control.  

    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • greenlovegreenlove Posts: 164

    Verdun, a living willow screen is certainly something that I have been interested in for years. However I have never ventured into it because I have never been sure where to start. Plus the height of the fence I am trying to cover/replace is only about 1.2 metres. I cant go any higher than that because it would block off the sun completely.

  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184

    We have willow, seems to be far better than the bamboo in terms of control. Much nicer plant. 

    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,131

    I thought that greenlove was asking about this sort of thing

    http://www.primrose.co.uk/bamboo-screening-c-319.html?source=googleads&gclid=CjkKEQjwia-dBRC07eeatYGe-78BEiQArZhbgMNCs81J_gaQdyAy_tG9zy0oi1LkWaC9qBe9Nshc4aDw_wcB 

    rather than living plants image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    So did I!!!

    I bought a willow screen on a roll but it disintrigated after 2 years, and another roll went the same way before we ever put it up. It was to go around the oil tank. Maybe because it was Amazon, it was too cheap.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • greenlovegreenlove Posts: 164

    Dove you are correct. That is the type of screen that I am after.

    Lyn from my research so far I have noticed that the smaller the height the thinner the willow canes get. Maybe that has an effect?

  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    I use split bamboo in a couple of places; the bamboo lasts, the little wires connecting it rust and break after about 5/6 years.

  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Wish i could post a pic, but i only have my phone image

    My reed screen has been up for a few years now, seems ok, its tied on to the hawthorn hedge that runs the length of the garden.

    I did try some bark like stuff, it was in strips, on a roll, but that hasnt done so well, it also blows down really easily image
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