Should I plant bamboo in my yard?

Question

What will the neighbors think?

Answer 1

no
easy to grow
dense
spreads
impossible to get rid of

Answer 2

Don't know which is worse for spreading... bamboo or raspberry plants. I thought I had the raspberries contained, what I didn't plan on was the birds and their droppings. I now have it in many
places throughout my 2 acres. Bamboo is similar. If the root
system jumps from wherever you've planted it, good luck in getting rid of it. Had a neighbor down the street who did it to tick off the neighbors and she still has trouble with it coming back after numerous attempts to get rid of it. I know that Peking Palace put it where there was a tar driveway and then put a
cement barrier to contain it. How deep am not certain, but you
coud look that up I'm sure. Most likely 6" at least.

Answer 3

I have two species of bamboo in my yard. If you want bamboo, be very careful of what species you are getting. Try and see some grown and standard stands before you get some.

Both of my types are clumpers, so they are not real invasive, but one is spiral and stays very vertical, and one creates a wide flat shape that tends to lay down.

Where it is behind a shed, this is not a problem, but I am glad I did not plant it next to a driveway. I still have some of it in pots, and it barely is able to stay alive there, and some has died.

In the pots it does not get to 6 feet tall, but in the ground it gets 40feet tall and is still getting bigger.

A friend with land in the country planted some bamboo she found in the trash, it runs several feet a year and she can't get rid of it, so be wary.

On the plus side it looks really good and is not damaged by the worst hurricane, and can make bamboo shoots to eat, or lumber or fishing poles, or tomato climbers depending on the type you get.

Answer 4

If you don't keep it in a pot you will have to bury heavy plastic ( like bender-board? ) 3 feet deep on both sides of the bamboo to keep the roots contained. The top of the plastic sheet should lean towards the bamboo so the roots get pushed back towards the plant. Planting in the ground makes for a better privacy fence, but, it is a lot more work too. As long as the neighbors don't have to take care of it, they shouldn't complain, unless it blocks their view.

Answer 5

Bamboo is an invasive plant which is not indigenous to your area, if you are anywhere except for Asia. That said, you need to understand what invasive species do. 1) They are not symbiotic with other wildlife. For instance, here in North Carolina where native species are maples and pecans and oaks, we have plenty of owls and squirrels. It's pretty hard to make a squirrel nest (to avoid the predacious owls) in a bamboo tree (no branches). So, the owls take over by eating all the squirrels then start attacking other species when all the squirrels are gone. Pretty soon we start running out of chipmunks, cats, and puppies. 2) They prohibit naturally occuring flora. You see, bamboo sends out underground shoots to spring up around itself, in a clumping pattern, which means that within the thicket, nothing else will grow. A thicket can then easily become a jungle. 3) Invasive species can grow out of control since there is no system in effect to control them. For example, kudzu was brought over from Africa to act as silage for cattle. It has now become the Menace of the South. Georgia has hired goats to keep it in check around highways, but there is plenty of back road invasion going on. Kudzu takes over and kills stuff. Bamboo is the same.

Please, do not plant bamboo, even in a container in the ground. I have a spider pant right now which has busted out of its plastic container and is sending up shoots from the side of it .... imagine the strength and volatility of the bamboo. No, bamboo belongs only in a self-contained container, like on a desk in a very controlled environment. It may be very pretty, but it really doesn't belong in your yard.

Answer 6

Listen to Christine B. Bamboo is a very invasive plant. It will take over. It's a slow grower, but even so.... Put it in a pot in the ground or beware. And who cares what the neighbors think!l

Answer 7

Yes by all means plant bamboo in your yard, but be sure to plant it in large pots and make it black bamboo. There is something magical about black bamboo, your neighbours will love it.

Answer 8

There are some species o bamboo that are not invasive just look for clumping in the name. I would still try to contain it but it isn't as hard to keep under control. It make a great privacy fence and look great too.

Answer 9

Dig a big hole and plant the bamboo in a POT in that hole. Otherwise, the runners from the bamboo will take over and you'll never (and I mean NEVER) get rid of it. At least the pot should contain the runners and if you get sick of it - just dig up the pot.

Answer 10

bamboo is a beautiful plant but you need plenty of room for it to grow

Answer 11

great idea ! a bamboo garden if you can contain it with paved areas like walkways and borders. the neighbors should appreciate it...