What clumping bamboo for pots

Welsh_and_proud

I want to try and screen a chain link fence so my kids cannot annoy the neighbours dogs so I'm wondering what clumping bamboo I can buy that will grow in a pot but doesn't have thorns.

Davesnave

Thorns? Is there something about bamboo I've not discovered?

I think your best bet is to look online for specialist nurseries, ring them and see what they recommend. A garden centre won't carry much variety.

There are two nurseries I can think of which specialise, one down my way in Devon, but I'd rather not recommend without any personal experience to draw on.

Welsh_and_proud

Davesnave said:

Thorns? Is there something about bamboo I've not discovered?

I think your best bet is to look online for specialist nurseries, ring them and see what they recommend. A garden centre won't carry much variety.

There are two nurseries I can think of which specialise, one down my way in Devon, but I'd rather not recommend without any personal experience to draw on.

Someone I used to work with said the bamboo he had in his garden had thorns and it was good if you wanted to keep people out.

Tea_Pea_Dee

Davesnave said:

Thorns? Is there something about bamboo I've not discovered?

I think your best bet is to look online for specialist nurseries, ring them and see what they recommend. A garden centre won't carry much variety.

There are two nurseries I can think of which specialise, one down my way in Devon, but I'd rather not recommend without any personal experience to draw on.

You and me both, Dave.  Everyday is a school day, so it seems.  Here I was sniggering at the back of the class, and then thought let's have a google.  Here it is:


Giant thorny bamboo aka Bambusa bambos.  It grows to 100 feet! but not readily grown here.  More common to SE Asia.  

Link to the best types of bamboo for screening:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=79

If it gets too high and unmanageable, you could always get a Panda in to help

MysteryMe

I have loads of different types of bamboo in pots but to be honest I don't think it's going to be that effective for what you want. They will also cost a lot of money because the cheap bamboo tend to be the runners. If they were planted in the ground with a suitable root barrier immediately in front of the chain link fence you could get a denser coverage and they would grow taller as well.  Of the ones I have I would suggest something like Fargesia nitida ‘Winter Joy’ it;a a good bushy bamboo that does not shed all it's leaves in winter. If you really wanted the pots (and TBH I think you'd need those large back tubs like this http://stewart-garden.co.uk/products/gun-metal/35cm/smithy-patio-tub/ you could get away with something like Pseudosasa japonica which is not clumping but mine are doing well in large tubs and are bushy.

 

Mojisola

Welsh_and_proud said:

I want to try and screen a chain link fence so my kids cannot annoy the neighbours dogs so I'm wondering what clumping bamboo I can buy that will grow in a pot but doesn't have thorns.

Wouldn't some bamboo or reed screening be quicker and more effective?

MysteryMe

That's a great idea

Welsh_and_proud

Mojisola said:

Welsh_and_proud said:

I want to try and screen a chain link fence so my kids cannot annoy the neighbours dogs so I'm wondering what clumping bamboo I can buy that will grow in a pot but doesn't have thorns.

Wouldn't some bamboo or reed screening be quicker and more effective?

I did look at that but it was to expensive for the amount I needed.

Mojisola

Welsh_and_proud said:

Mojisola said:

Wouldn't some bamboo or reed screening be quicker and more effective?

I did look at that but it was to expensive for the amount I needed.

Have you looked up the price of bamboo?

Emmia

Welsh_and_proud said:

Mojisola said:

Welsh_and_proud said:

I want to try and screen a chain link fence so my kids cannot annoy the neighbours dogs so I'm wondering what clumping bamboo I can buy that will grow in a pot but doesn't have thorns.

Wouldn't some bamboo or reed screening be quicker and more effective?

I did look at that but it was to expensive for the amount I needed.

I think alive bamboo in pots is likely to be pricier than the screening... and not exactly maintenance free, as you'll need to water it.

Welsh_and_proud

MysteryMe said:

I have loads of different types of bamboo in pots but to be honest I don't think it's going to be that effective for what you want. They will also cost a lot of money because the cheap bamboo tend to be the runners. If they were planted in the ground with a suitable root barrier immediately in front of the chain link fence you could get a denser coverage and they would grow taller as well.  Of the ones I have I would suggest something like Fargesia nitida ‘Winter Joy’ it;a a good bushy bamboo that does not shed all it's leaves in winter. If you really wanted the pots (and TBH I think you'd need those large back tubs like this http://stewart-garden.co.uk/products/gun-metal/35cm/smithy-patio-tub/ you could get away with something like Pseudosasa japonica which is not clumping but mine are doing well in large tubs and are bushy.

 

I was going to buy fargesia rufa as I read that does well in pots. What soil do you use in the pots.