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Growing a Bamboo Fence
Growing a Bamboo Fence. There are two main varieties of bamboo, and both contain a large number of species within the variety. Running bamboo quickly grows tall and spreads underground and often into your neighbor's yard. Clumping bamboo tends to grow together, creating a dense thicket. To grow a bamboo fence, you will first need to choose a...
Overview
Clumping Bamboo
There are two main varieties of bamboo, and both contain a large number of species within the variety. Running bamboo quickly grows tall and spreads underground and often into your neighbor's yard. Clumping bamboo tends to grow together, creating a dense thicket. To grow a bamboo fence, you will first need to choose a variety of clumping bamboo.
To choose the proper clumping bamboo, you need to determine the best type of species for your climate. Clumping bamboos that do well in hot, humid climates include Calcutta Cane (Bambusa vulgaris) and Mei-nung (Dendrocalamus latiflorus). Clumping bamboos that thrive in temperate zones include Green Panda (Fargesia rufa), Dragon's Head (Fargesia dragocephala) and Umbrella (Fargesia murieliae).
Conditions
If possible, choose to plant your fence in an area that gets partial shade, since most clumping bamboo varieties do not tolerate full, hot sun very well. If you do have to plant in a full sun area, simply make sure the bamboo is well-irrigated. Bamboo likes moist but not soggy soil. It needs to be well-drained. In addition, bamboo does not do well in high-wind areas. It tends to lean or bow when pelted by wind and rain, so think about a way to shelter your bamboo from the wind if you live in a windy area. Finally, bamboo thrives best in a soil pH level of 6 to 7, so test your soil and adjust it before you plant your bamboo. You can buy soil testers and soil adjusting nutrients at any gardening or home center.
Planting
To plant your bamboo so that it will become a fence, space your plants accordingly. This will vary according to the growth rate of your bamboo. Even clumping bamboos vary widely in their rate of vertical and horizontal growth. Therefore, when you purchase your plant, be sure to ask an employee for how far apart to plant them or check the plant's label.
Plant bamboo in early spring. Dig a hole to a depth about an inch deeper than the height of the pot. Add some organic material, such as peat moss, and water thoroughly. Then, carefully remove the plant and place in the hole. Fill with soil, and add mulch around the base of the plant. Water again. Keep the soil moist, but not saturated. In about three years, your clumping bamboo should merge to form a nice fence.
