bamboo
Inground bamboo. Running bamboo can also be grown inground but will require a root barrier to prevent growth into the surrounding garden bed. Bamboo barrier (often called rhizome barrier) is thick plastic sheeting that sinks at least 3 feet into the ground surrounding the bamboo plants, with a couple of inches protruding above ground level. Rhizomes are redirected into the designated bamboo area, and the surrounding garden is protected from bamboo growth. River rock placed around the base of the plants is an effective way to conceal the bamboo barrier and complements the architectural culms.
Growing bamboo in a container. Containing root growth is a big concern with running bamboo plantings. Some running bamboo can flourish in a container. Because the plant is above ground and often surrounded by hardscape, all the growth is concentrated within the contained space. You will need to make sure the container is well irrigated, though, or your bamboo's leaves may go brown. Tip: Bamboo doesn't do well in drought situations, so automated irrigation systems are a great way to ensure regular watering.
Running bamboo. Running bamboo has a tendency to spread out vigorously, so it takes more planning and oversight to incorporate it into a small garden space. But that doesn't mean it should be taken out of the equation altogether. Running bamboo's thicker and well-spaced culms provide more flexibility in the landscape. Side branches can be removed to reveal the often-colorful culms and allow for views through a bank of bamboo to a surrounding garden. Removing branches also proves effective when running bamboo is planted up against a wall, where the shadows of the stripped culms add drama and year-round interest. Tip: Of the many options available for running bamboo, my favorites for small gardens are Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo) and Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo) because of their slow growth rate and stunning culm coloring. Golden bamboo works well against a dark backdrop, and black bamboo provides great contrast to lighter plantings in the garden.
Clumping bamboo. Clumping bamboo is a noninvasive grower with clumps of compact, nonspreading culms (stems). It is well suited to smaller spaces because of its manageable mature size (most varieties top out at 8 to 16 feet in temperate climates) and compact growth habit. These plants tend to have slimmer culms and take on the appearance of a bamboo hedge. Clumping bamboo does not require containment and flourishes in a wide variety of situations in a small garden. Tip: Fargesia bamboo is one of the best clumping bamboo species for the small garden and fares well in a variety of light conditions. My favorite variety is the low-maintenance Fargesia robusta, which grows to a maximum height of 14 feet in a temperate climate. It's also the bamboo variety preferred by panda bears —
Alphonse Karr Bamboo is a clumping bamboo, making it much more manageable and less invasive in the garden.
Q