EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BAMBOO
WHAT THINGS SHOULD I CONSIDER BEFORE HAVING A BAMBOO WALL INSTALLED?
Now that you have a good reason to put up a living wall, before we plant bamboo, it's important to consider the following:
APPROVAL - Are you allowed to plant bamboo in your place of business or in your yard?
Some HOA’s may limit or prohibit certain plants from being planted in your green spaces and along hard-scapes. Generally this is done to maintain some semblance of consistency and aesthetic in your neighborhood i.e. place of business. Another reason many HOA’s limit bamboo is because they don't understand the differences between running and clumping bamboo (you can read more about that here).
It should be noted certain municipalities may limit the location and height of your bamboo wall, so always check with your local city or municipality if you have questions about sitelines, utilities, etc.
PURPOSE - Are you planning to create a wall or living screen?
If so you will need to know the height you want to achieve, the width of the area you have to plant and the length of the area in which you are considering a wall. This helps come up with a cost for the project. (you can use this handy bamboo calculator here)
GREEN THUMB - Are you someone that likes to garden, or do you have time to handle some basic landscaping?
Most folks that are able to water, fertilize and occasionally trim their bamboo will become the envy of their neighborhood and never need the help of a landscaper. If you are a busy person on the go, you can take solace knowing that clumping bamboo grows predictably and can be managed with minimal effort. We have seen cases where someone planted bamboo, and simply left it alone, without water, without trimming it, without fertilizing it and it looked great. Keep in mind each yard is different, each species is different, the important thing to consider is the type of care you can afford to provide. We can help guide you so you are choosing the right bamboo for the right application.
WATER - Do you have irrigation?
Even if we are planting a wall of bamboo in Florida before the rainy season, its important that you have a way to water the newly planted bamboo for at least 6-8 weeks daily until it's sufficiently rooted. The good news is for most jobs you do not have to spend thousands to accommodate this basic requirement. Most sprinkler systems can be modified affordably to accommodate the bamboo. In many instances no modification of the planting bed is required since that area is already covered in a watered zone. If the area is particularly dry or has no irrigation, one or two $30 hoses, a $30 battery operated timer, and a couple basic lawn hose sprinklers are all that's required to ensure a great result.
EXPOSURES - What are you planting the bamboo near?
If you are planting bamboo near a home, it's always good to leave enough room so the bamboo is not touching the house or creating a permanent path for ants or bugs to reach a window or soffit. If planting near a fence, it's always good to add some room so that the bamboo can grow fully without requiring any major trimming the first year or two.
Most folks do not want bamboo growing into their fence. Generally a quick inspection every couple months is all that's needed to either clip or move an errant shoot from getting tangled up in the existing adjacent fence.
SUNLIGHT - Are you planting bamboo in an area of heavy sunlight or shade?
Just like there is generally a tool for every job, out of the 2,000 plus species of bamboo, there is a bamboo for every yard or greenspace. If your yard is shady, you will want to pick a bamboo that can handle that condition. Most bamboo does well in direct sunlight and particle shade. It is important to understand the site conditions with consideration to the long term health of the plant you are looking to have installed.
FERTILIZER - Is bamboo really a grass, ...really?
Yes, bamboo is really a grass and because of this, it responds well and loves nitrogen rich fertilizer. Because we love the environment we always recommend natural non-synthetic alternatives such as organic compost, manure, Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer, Organic Miracle Grow, Miloganite. As with all fertilizers follow the directions and please be cautious when using them around pets, people, or any wildlife. Since all yards can vary, you might only need to fertilize once or twice a year. While bamboo is a heavy feeder and loves nutrients, you should not need to fertilize any more than 3-4 times per year max to achieve lush healthy growth.
TEMPERATURE - What bamboo grows in florida?
If you are in Florida you are good to go, our grow zones lend themselves to handling just about anything mother nature can throw at us here. If you are outside the state, you will want to familiarize yourself with your grow zone and appropriate bamboo. We carry a nice variety of cold hardy bamboo so even multiple cold freezes will not kill off a wall of established bamboo unless there are major underlying issues such as a neglectful care i.e. lack of water, sunlight or fertilizer.
In our experience less than one plant in 3,000 die and when this happens it's generally a plant dropped in saturated soil for weeks at a time, or un bone dry soil right after planting which prevents it from getting established. In all cases temperature for most bamboo is not an issue as long as the correct grow zone is observed and followed.
BESIDES BAMBOO WHAT ARE MY ALTERNATIVES?
Wooden Fencing - You can pay for a wooden privacy fence, but in many municipalities, you will be limited to a four to six-foot height for a backyard fence. In many cases, you will be limited to a 4-foot fence if you are near a traffic sightline. Any structure creating blind corners at intersections and putting children and pets in danger needs to be approved by the appropriate authorities. If you can get the privacy you need from a 6’ fence this could be a good alternative, however, you will carefully want to weigh the cost of installation, and long-term maintenance as these are typically much higher compared to a bamboo alternative.
Vinyl Fencing - Some folks opt to install vinyl fencing, and it looks great in many neighborhoods. Inevitably vinyl can succumb to unsightly mold growth, warping from heat, or damage from annual hurricane winds that can completely blow out entire sections of pickets. As with any fence, you are limited by cost on exactly what kind of height you are trying to achieve. Let's say your township has no limit fence heights, that's great but price a fence that's 6’ or taller and compare that to the savings you will get with a living wall of bamboo. Generally, folks opt for bamboo for durability and cost savings.
Shrubs and Trees - Believe it or not, bamboo is not a tree, it's classified as grass. While bamboo is not the only thing you can plant to create a screen, it is however one of the most common. Drive down any street and you will see many species of trees, shrubs, and bamboo used to create a privacy hedge. The reason many choose bamboo is its ability to grow tall as a beautiful visual screen. Many folks also love the toughness and weather resistance. A hurricane can easily break branches, and knock down all but the most sturdy fences, but bamboo is tough and flexible. Bamboo leaves might indeed get a little tattered in the long sustained wind, but it will still hold up and look better after a big storm compared to most fences over a few years old.
Conclusion:
Bamboo is tough and requires minimal maintenance when compared to almost all other types of hedges. The proof is in its local wide use and acceptance by both commercial and residential landscape designers and city planners. From waterparks to theme parks, from massive luxury apartment complexes to single-family neighborhoods bamboo is an amazing grass that can elevate just about any space.
