ABOUT PLANTING BAMBOO
The possibility of using bamboo as a protective element in the garden (not to mention decorative and otherwise practical purposes) has been mentioned in PLM comments now and again, but because of my own local experience I've always had reservations about the idea; however, there appears to be a solution, as offered here:
"I have read that commercial kiwi growers, owing to the sensitivity of the kiwi vine, are obliged to plant large hedges around their plots to protect the plant from excess wind and weather, but I don't know what they use for the hedges. Personally I am a fan of bamboo, a superbly useful and attractive plant, also very hardy (at least, most varieties are) and if you plant a "clumping" variety and not a "runner" it won't invade your garden and ruin your carrot patch. I have a fine stand of Black Bamboo (bambusa nigra) that hasn't spread more than a few inches in 15 years, and I generally cut four or five 10 foot canes from it every year for use as lash-ups and trellis supports. A nice curtain wall planting of this bamboo would not only make the place look beautiful but cut down the wind problem and provide you with lots of material to harvest along with your veggies; if you cut the newly sprouted growth, you can even eat it, too! There are plenty of other plants to consider for windbreaks, though." --JB Reynolds
[Excerpted from Lehman's excellent (and free) forum newsletter]
2 comments:
Have toyed with the idea putting bamboo around the perimeter of my garden for years. However, after planting timber bamboo as screening in an urban lot and a year later watching it jump the asphalt parking lot, running into the adjoining lot I dubbed it the garden bully. Very good to read about your experience bamboo. Always felt it was like so many of life's riches; want it but can't have it!
M- I have lots a of bamboo here by default, so I have no need to plant any, but I do love easily controllable ornamental types and think of planting them here and there now and then, though that's way down on my list. I think the black bamboo might work for you, however, maybe even in a big pot...
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