Clumping bamboo is a popular choice for homeowners and landscapers due to its beauty and versatility. Whether you want to add a touch of elegance to your garden or need a privacy screen, non-invasive clumping bamboo is an excellent option. This quick guide will help you identify and choose the right type of bamboo for your needs.
What is clumping bamboo?
Clumping bamboo is non-invasive due to its sympodial growth habit. Sympodial bamboo has short rhizomes that remain close to the mother plant, preventing it from spreading beyond its original planting site.
Additionally, clumping bamboo grows in dense clumps and is less vigorous than running bamboo, which further reduces the risk of it becoming invasive.
How to identify non-invasive clumping bamboo
There are a few key characteristics that can help you identify clumping bamboo:
Clumping habit
Clumping bamboo grows in dense clumps, with new culms emerging from the center of the clump. Running bamboo, on the other hand, spreads rapidly by sending out long rhizomes that produce new culms at a distance from the mother plant.
Clumping bamboo growing in dense clumps
Culm sheath
The culm sheath is the papery covering that protects the new culm as it grows. Clumping bamboo has deciduous culm sheaths that fall off after the culm has matured. Running bamboo has persistent culm sheaths that remain on the culm even after it has matured.
[Left: Clumping Bamboo Sheath. Right: Running Bamboo Rhizome] – Learn about Bamboo Structures.
Leaf scars
Look for the raised rings on the culm where the leaves fell off. Clumping bamboo has prominent leaf scars in a spiral pattern, while running bamboo has less prominent leaf scars in a zigzag pattern.
Leaf scars in clumping bamboo
If you want to know about the parts of clumping bamboo, check out this article.
How to choose a clumping bamboo plant
When choosing a clumping bamboo plant, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Size: Clumping bamboo plants can range in size from a few feet tall to over 100 feet tall. Choose a plant size that is the right size for your space.
- Climate: Clumping bamboo plants can be grown in a variety of climates, but some species are more cold-tolerant than others. Choose a species that is well-suited to your local climate.
- Soil: Clumping bamboo plants prefer moist, well-drained soil. If your soil is dry or sandy, you may need to amend it with organic matter to improve drainage.
Non-invasive clumping bamboo for privacy
Clumping bamboo is an excellent choice for privacy hedging. Its dense growth habit and lush foliage create a natural barrier that can screen out unwanted views and noise.
Seabreeze bamboo and slender weavers bamboo are both popular choices for privacy hedging, as they grow quickly and reach a mature height of 15-20 feet.
Slender Weavers bamboo is a non-invasive clumping bamboo with graceful, slender culms and dense foliage. It grows quickly to heights of 15-20 feet, making it an ideal choice for privacy screens and hedges.
Planting and caring for clumping bamboo
Clumping bamboo is relatively easy to plant and care for. Here are a few tips:
- Plant clumping bamboo in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Water regularly, especially during the first year after planting.
- Fertilise once a year in the spring with a balanced fertiliser.
- Prune as needed to remove dead or damaged culms.
Check out our blog for a growing collection of clumping bamboo plants.
Conclusion
Clumping bamboo is a versatile and beautiful plant that you can use in a variety of garden and landscape settings. With its non-invasive growth habit and aesthetic appeal, clumping bamboo is an excellent choice for homeowners in the UK.