One of the first things to decide when you are thinking about planting bamboo is whether to get Clumping Bamboo or Running Bamboo.
Clumping Bamboos are similar in growth habit to any shrub. They grow gradually outward from the center with new canes growing taller and getting larger in diameter every year. The most important characteristic of clump bamboos is that, unlike Running Bamboos, they do not spread by sending underground shoots far away from the main plant. They are NOT invasive.
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| Clumping Bamboos are well-behaved, attractive and non-invasive |
For a privacy hedge, plant clumping bamboos anywhere from 4- to 10-feet apart. When planted 4- to 6-feet apart in enriched, irrigated soil, clumping varieties will form a solid hedge in just one growing season. If planted further apart, it will take a couple years longer. Either way, in a short time clumping bamboos form a tall, thick green border with towering canes that bend in the breeze.
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A 3-year-old hedge of Bambusa multiplex alphonse karr clumping bamboo
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Unlike Clumping Bamboos,
Running Bamboos do send shoots away from the mother plant and have the potential to be invasive. In some varieties the new shoots will travel only a few inches but in other runners the shoots might travel 10-feet or more away from the mother plant.
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| Running Bamboos spread by underground rhizomes |
While this may present a problem in certain landscapes, in other situations it is a positive characteristic. When planted 3- to 10-feet apart, the growth pattern of running bamboos enables them to quickly turn into dense and beautiful hedges.
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| This hedge of Arrow Running Bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica) forms a dense green barrier |
Running Bamboos can be controlled by mowing a wide (10' to 25') area around the planting bed, with a
bamboo barrier, or by a natural barrier such as a body of water, a road, or a pasture which is grazed or mowed regularly.
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| Green Hedge Running Bamboo (S. fastuosa viridis) is kept under control by mowing a wide swath |
Running Bamboos grow taller and thicker in cooler climates than they do in more tropical settings. While we can grow many varieties of running bamboo in Florida, the plants don't develop as impressively in our climate as they do in more temperate parts of the country.
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| This large-diameter canes come from Running Bamboos grown in cold-climate parts of the world |
On the other hand, Clumping Bamboos prefer a tropical climate where temperatures rarely go below 15 to 28 degrees. Both Clumping and Running Bamboos will provide a quick impenetrable hedges, graceful groves, or attractive spot plantings.
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| A serene sitting area nestled within a grove of Vivax Running Bamboo |
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I want to visit your business ... SOON ... !!
ReplyDeleteI am a lifelong agronomist / soil-use specialist ... now located near Winter Haven ... AND desire to know more !!!
Luke Pritchett
863-837-8821
Luke,
DeleteCome on by. We are open Monday-Saturday from 8-4. Other hours may be available by appointment. Give us a call at 352-429-2425.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am looking for knowledge about bamboo as a privacy fence. I am building a stilt home and all living space is at 15 ft (floor level) with 10 ff walls. On one side of the house is a terrible view. Current codes only allow a 6 ft. fence. So, I need something that will grow at least 20- 25 ft high. This bamboo "hedge" would run the length of back of the property- about 40 ft. I am confused as to the "invasive" issue. What would you suggest? Thank you
The clumping bamboo is non-invasive. New canes only come up with in a few inches of the existing canes. Whether you can use clumping bamboo will depend on your location. Most clumping bamboo is best suited for warmer climates.
DeleteYour space sounds perfect for graceful bamboo. This is cold hardy down to 15F.
Please feel free to contact us at the nursery for further information at 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
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ReplyDeleteHow do you sell it ? And how much is it?can it be purchased like 3ft tall?
ReplyDeleteWe sell our bamboo already established in containers ranging from 1 gallons to 30 gallons. We can ship our 1 and 3 gallon plants via FedEx in 48" boxes. Larger sizes are available by delivery or pick up at the nursery. Prices will vary depending on variety and size. Please contact the nursery for information on specific varieties 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
DeleteDoes clumping bamboo grow well in a non shady western or southern exposure?
ReplyDeleteMost of the clumping bamboos will prefer a sunny to partial shade area. For information on specific varieties, please contact us at the nursery (352)429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
DeleteWhich type of clumping bamboo grows tall quickly? I'm looking for a taller type than what I purchased a few years ago from another nursery.
ReplyDeleteWe have the giant timber (Bambusa oldhamii) that will reach about 55' tall. It can do this in 4-6 years from a 3 gallon with proper care. If you start with larger plants, you can have taller plants faster.
DeletePlease contact us at the nursery for more details 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
Were are you located? Dade City?! Im interested in the Cumping Bamboo, thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteWe are at 18404 SR 19, Groveland FL 34736. Our hours are Monday-Saturday from 8-4. Other hours may be available by appointment.
DeleteI live in zone 5 and am looking to plant a bamboo fence. I think running would be perfect but am not sure which variety. Looking for around 20-25ft tall.
ReplyDeleteZone 5 is -15°F. I am sorry, we do not have any bamboo that cold tolerant.
DeleteI am in zone 8 (N FL). I would like some bamboo for a privacy barrier. Do you have some that would be good here?
ReplyDeleteTia
Our most cold hardy clumping bamboo is the graceful. It is cold hardy to 15°F. We have several others that are rated at about 18°F. Any of the running bamboo will grow in your area also.
DeletePlease feel free to contact us at the nursery for more information 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
I am in zone 10 and need to find a bamboo that can grow tall (about 30 ft) to screen a neighbor's new building. But I need the bamboo to fit along a narrow space between the fence and our gararage, which is only about 25 inches. I think mature plants would be best because they need to be taller than our garage in order to get sun. Can you recommend a type of bamboo that might work for my situation? Thank you so much for any help here!!
ReplyDeleteThe 2 best plants for fitting into a narrow space are graceful and emerald. The graceful will reach about 25' tall and the emerald 35' tall. In a 25" space, the largest plants you will be able to fit are the 15 gallons. These are about 12-14' tall right now.
DeletePlease contact us at the nursery for further information 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
I am in central Kentucky. I need to get a thick 15+ foot tall hedge formed between me an my neighbor. Worried about invasive species invading neighbors property which is about 30 ft away. Suggestions? Jthompson0032@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteDue to your cooler climate, you will need to use a running bamboo. The green hedge or red margined would be excellent choices. You will want to use a rhizome barrier to contain these runners. This is a thick plastic that is buried to about 36" around the plants. Please feel free to contact us at the nursery for more information 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
DeleteI live in Ocala Fl. Don't know the zone. I had some clumping bamboo once, along my fence around pool. I loved it. They were like 4ft. I need now the same, only they can be up to 8 ft. I probably need 6 clumps, sent to me. Let me know what would be best, and how I can order, and cost.
DeleteThe golden goddess would be your best choice for a shorter hedge in Ocala. It will get a little taller than 8', but could be trimmed to a shorter hedge if you like.
DeletePlease contact our nursery for sizes and prices 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
Hi. Zone 10b here. We are looking to quickly create privacy for our new pool area. Would love to plant clumping bamboo outside the fence, along the canal. We need it to eventually (sooner rather than later) grow to at least 15-25’+ we’ve seen one with almost black rods. Do something like that exist that would work for us? We look forward to your guidance & thank you in advance.
ReplyDeleteFor a hedge in the 20-25' range, you could use a few different varieties. The Asian lemon, golden hedge, and graceful would all work great. You may wish to start with 15 gallon plants for very fast coverage.
DeleteThe black bamboo is a great specimen plant. It grows more open and therefor is not recommended for a privacy hedge.
Please feel free to contact us at the nursery for more information 352-429-2425 or Jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
Located in Ocala, need something to plant along a fence line to provide shade on the yard side. Height can be as tall as it wants and running is also ok. Fence line is appx 100 ft.
ReplyDeleteWe can help you with this project. In Ocala, the clumping bamboo will give you faster growth. Please contact us at the nursery for further information 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
DeleteHi I am in Lake Worth Florida and have a small patio outside of my townhouse in a gated community I have an L-shaped planting space on the patio that butts up against the screened
ReplyDeleteenclosure and would like the dwarf variety non-invasive bamboo for privacy to about seven to eight feet is there a bamboo plant that would fit my needs.
For a short privacy hedge, you may consider lady finger or golden goddess. Both of these will grow to about 10-12' tall, but with canes that can be easily trimmed to 8'. For more information, please contact us at the nursery 352-429-2425 or jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
DeleteHow much do your clumping bamboo cost I live in St. Augustine what do you recommend for my area I would like about 3-4 ft
ReplyDeleteEach of our different varieties and sizes have different prices, but we don't have any clumping variety that naturally stays under 12'. Email us at jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com for any further information.
DeleteI want a privacy fence of plants to grow very fast, be very hardy, and low maintenance. The lot next door is going to have a monstrous house 5.5' from ours and we don't want to see it. What do you recommend? Lots of light, across the street from the Gulf of Mexico I Panama City Beach, Florida
ReplyDeleteDefinitely stick with a clumping bamboo. Seabreeze and Graceful are very fast and both are plenty hardy in your area. The Seabreeze will be larger, getting 35-45' and creating a large privacy wall. Graceful is good if you have a narrow planting space or are going near a fence or structure. It will grow 25' tall and is a tight, upright plant. If you would like to send us some pictures of your space that can help too. Feel free to contact us at jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com or 352-429-2425.
DeleteWe live in Zone 8 on the East Coast of Florida. The back of our lot stays pretty moist (no standing water) as we are close to a creek bed. The area I'm considering for planting Bamboo is partly sunny but mostly shady. Sits under a canopy of old forest. We are looking for something that is fast growing to about 20'. What would you suggest?
ReplyDeleteThe graceful bamboo will probably be your best option. It is cold hardy to about 15°F. You may want to do a little mounding to deal with the moist soil. The bamboo prefers soil that drains.
ReplyDeleteIn a shady area, the bamboo will grow a little slower and taller than it would in the sun. Also, it will not be as dense at the bottom.
Please contact us at the nursery for more information jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com or 352-429-2425.
I am in zone 9 and I am looking for both a privacy screen and something that would held block flying debris from my neighbors yard during high winds. I am also on a tight budget and I am wondering if there is a species of bamboo that would work for me that could be grown from seed? The sheer number of plants I would need rule out buying established plants due to cost.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, due to years of many many years of propagation via cloning (root divisions), most if not nearly all common bamboo species are usually sterile. There is a very small chance you may be able to grow something from seed, but we can't guarantee how viable that is as an option.
DeleteFor any further info on this, you can contact us directly at jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com
We are located in Chiefland and would like to create a privacy screen on a small patio. We have thought about trying to put bamboo in large pots. We have to find a variety that can handle full sun in a pot and not grow too tall. Can you recommend anything? We appreciate your assistance
ReplyDeleteYes, you may grow bamboo in a container. A couple of smaller varieties would be the golden goddess or lady finger. These can reach 12' tall, but are easily trimmed to a shorter height. Make sure your containers have good drainage. Use a quality potting mixture. Be sure to keep them watered. You may need to thin them out yearly after a few growing seasons, as they will completely fill the container. Please contact us at the nursery for more information jennifer@beautifulbamboo.com or 352-429-2425.
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