Best Bamboo for Privacy Screen

Even if you are an experienced landscaper, you may be surprised to know that bamboo is among the best available plants for a privacy screen. Just which bamboo is best will depend on your specific application, but, in general, these plants are great for privacy. If you choose the right kind of bamboo, they can be both easy to manage and aesthetically appealing.

About

Palmco serves the contiguous U.S. from our 600-acre farm in Bokeelia on Pine Island, Florida. We provide FF-grade palms, top-quality clumping bamboos, and spectacular ornamental plants, such as the Mast Tree, to landscape contractors, architects and developers who want to beautify residential estates, resorts, golf courses, commercial properties and more.

At Palmco, we specialize in the cold-hardy clumping varieties of bamboo. We grow the Bambusa variety, a tropical and subtropical species that is perfect for warm, southern climates, and the Dendrocalamus variety, which includes some of the tallest, most impressive bamboos in the world.

Aside from their beauty, one of the best features of clumping bamboos is that, unlike running bamboos, they are non-invasive. They grow gradually outward from the center, and new culms grow taller and larger in diameter every year. They don’t spread horizontally beyond their assigned area and grow very much like shrubs. Here are three popular varieties to consider for your client’s landscape:

Tropical Blue Bamboo

The popular medium-tight Tropical Blue clumping bamboo from China makes an attractive ornamental and a beautiful dense privacy hedge. It features light green leaves and nicely spaced thin-walled culms that develop a stunning powder-like, soft, light blue bloom. The plant will grow to a maximum height of about 35 feet with 3-inch diameter culms.

Golden Hawaiian Bamboo

Often called Painted Bamboo, the beautiful Golden Hawaiian is one of the most cultivated ornamental bamboos in the tropical world. It features bright yellow 4-inch diameter canes with random green stripes that resemble drip marks. Easily propagated, it grows to a typical height of 40 to 50 feet within about three years. Golden Hawaiian bamboo is ideal for use as an ornamental centerpieces or tall screening in tropical areas.

Seabreeze Bamboo

Originating in Southern China, Seabreeze is a bushy, very fast-growing variety that can reach heights of up to 40 feet. The 2 1/2-inch diameter canes have a distinctive bluish-white tint in each section. This is a very hardy clumping bamboo that can withstand cooler temperatures down to 20°F. It is drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant and an excellent performer in planting zones of 9a and up. When mature, it forms a graceful umbrella-shaped arch and is ideal for hedges, windbreaks and privacy screens. The canes also make lovely “bamboo sounds” when the wind blows.

The question of which bamboo is the best for a privacy screen is difficult to answer. It is certain, however, that bamboo is among the best types of plant to use in this application. If you are interested in exploring more options, don’t hesitate to contact Palmco at (239) 283-1329.