Whether your garden design is oriental, tropical, modernist or is simply in need of fascinating greenery, there is one group of plants that fits the bill perfectly – bamboos. Different types of bamboo have been around for centuries and serve many wonderful uses in the garden, including as privacy screens, hedges or feature plants.
But they are also one of the most misunderstood plants in the world, with many gardeners shuddering at the thought of growing them. That’s because there are two distinct types of bamboo – clumping and running, and the running species can become invasive if they aren’t well contained.
But if you choose the right type and species of bamboo, you will see there’s a lot to love about these amazing plants. So, we’ve rounded up 10 types of bamboo you can consider based on your gardening and planting goals.
1. Chinese dwarf bamboo
A lush and bushy bamboo, Chinese dwarf (Bambusa guangxiensis) is a beautiful compact plant, which makes an excellent small privacy screen, pot plant or feature in a garden bed. It is naturally bushy right down to the ground, giving the bamboo a very graceful appearance. However, the lower branches can be removed for a neater look.
Typical height: 3m.
2. Slender weavers
One of the most popular bamboos, slender weavers (Bambusa textilis var. gracilis) has thin, tall and straight culms that form an attractive clump. Fast growing, it’s ideal if you want a privacy screen or hedge.
Established clumps can spread 1.5m wide, so if you’re growing a hedge, plant clumps at 1m intervals so they will form a dense wall.
Typical height: 6m.
3. Timor black bamboo
Everyone’s favourite black clumping species, Timor black (Bambusa lako) forms a striking screen of glossy black culms and light green foliage, and is a great substitute for the running form (Phyllostachys nigra). While better suited to medium or large gardens, it can be managed if kept in contained planter beds or pots.
Typical height: 12m.
4. Giant bamboo
Giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) is only suitable for large gardens due to its extraordinary ability to shoot up. However that does mean they are a fabulous choice for adding privacy – even to passing drones.
Typical height: Up to 20m.
5. Dwarf green stripe
Dwarf green stripe (Pleioblastus sp.) is an excellent edging plant. What it lacks in stature it makes up for in impact – its striped yellow and green leaves making for a lush groundcover. This is just one of the low-growing forms of running bamboo of this species.
Typical height: 500mm.
6. Pleioblastus ‘Tsuboi’
This bamboo is a highly ornamental bamboo and also a runner. It is best grown in a pot or planter bed lined with a root barrier.
Typical height: About 1m.
7. Goldstripe
Proudly wearing its green and gold stripes, Bambusa ‘Goldstripe’ is the perfect clumping bamboo if you need a compact, upright screen. It can be grown in very narrow beds of only 40cm wide, but ideally prefers to be planted in a bed at least 1m wide. Prune lower branches to reveal the wonderfully ornamental green and gold stripes on the culms.
Typical height: 3-4m.
8. China gold
An exquisite-looking bamboo, China gold (Bambusa eutuldoides var. viridi vittata) has bright lemon-yellow culms with green striations. The upright culms are heavily branched, making it a great screening bamboo. But if you want to use it as more of an ornamental feature, prune away the lower growth to reveal the wonderful golden canes.
Typical height: 6m.
9. Gigantochloa apus
This type of bamboo is big and bold so make sure you have enough room for this one.
Typical height: 12-15m.
10. Bambusa ‘Fernleaf’
This bamboo features soft green foliage that emerges from tightly packed culms – great for a small hedge or screen.
Typical height: 4m.
What is the best bamboo for not spreading?
Clumping bamboo varieties shouldn’t spread in the same way as running bamboo because the rhizomes grow out from a single culm or “clump”. This makes its growth more predictable, and its shallow roots make it easier to maintain, However, just like any plant, bamboo can thrive under certain conditions and you may find its growth going beyond where you wanted it.
The NSW WeedWise website also states that new bamboo can also grow from cut rhizomes, so make sure you keep that in mind when you’re pruning bamboo.
One of the easiest ways to reduce the chance of bamboo spreading is to use a bamboo root barrier around it in the garden – or plant your bamboo in pots instead.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
