Growing Bamboo Plants Outdoors

Bamboo offers a wide range of sizes and color variations. It makes a quick screen and can provide shade. This member of the grass family grows in a wide variety of different climates, so you can find something for almost any climate. Its one major disadvantage is quick growth to the point of invasiveness.

outdoor-bamboo-plants

Where to Grow Bamboo

Although bamboo is considered a tropical plant, it also does well in temperature areas. Depending on the variety, you can find a bamboo for USDA Zones 5 and above. Although it is not really drought tolerant, it will grow in desert areas if kept watered. In your garden, you should be careful when planting it against adjacent property as it spreads quickly.

Uses for Bamboo Outdoors

Since bamboo comprises such a large group of plants, it has many landscaping possibilities. Among these:

  • Smaller bamboos like the pygmy bamboo make good ground covers.
  • Many mid-sized bamboos are used to screen unattractive views or structures.
  • Bamboo can be shaped like bonsai or used as specimen plants.
  • Taller bamboos can provide shade.

Running vs. Clumping Bamboo

Nearly all bamboos are either running or clumping types. The former spreads by stolons and bamboos in this group are most likely to become invasive. However, if you need fast growth, running bamboos will supply it. Clumping bamboos spread much more slowly and need less work to keep the plants under control. Both offer diversity within the group.

Growing Bamboo

Bamboo are not particular about soil texture as long as it drains well; they dislike wet feet. However, they appreciate a slightly acidic soil. If you are growing running bamboo, plan ahead of time to control it with a wall, trench or barrier of some sort. Smaller bamboos made need shade protection as they grow under taller trees; other bamboos do well in full sun.

Fertilizer for Bamboos

Bamboo is a grass, and like grass, it responds well to high-nitrogen fertilizer. In the case of running bamboos, that can be a problem. It’s better to use organic compost or similar soil additives, which will provide nutrients without encouraging excessive growth. If you do need to fertilize, use an organic fertilizer with an NPK ration of 4-3-2 and apply it in the spring.

Maintenance of Bamboo

If you choose running bamboo, you must root prune on a regular basis to keep it under control. This is especially true with mature plants, which can throw up new culms at an astonishing rate. In addition, most bamboos benefit from pruning culms and removing dead or broken branches. Don’t prune fronds, as they won’t grow back.

Text: Garden.eco