Non Invasive Bamboo
Bamboo has had a bad rep.
People have been afraid to use it because in the past it was credited with taking over landscapes, making neighbors angry, and being extremely difficult to eradicate.
We hope we can convince you not to ignore this elegant evergreen plant by providing you with some information about the difference between invasive bamboo and non invasive bamboo.
Although it can grow to towering heights, bamboo is actually a grass, not a tree.
There are more than 1,500 different species of it in the world, and there are varieties native to every continent except Europe. As the fastest growing plant on earth, it’s possible for some bamboos to grow nearly four feet in a single day, without the need for fertilizers, pesticides or much water.
There are dwarf plants that grow from 0 to 5 feet in height to giant timber bamboos that can reach heights of 100 feet.
Running bamboos (are the invasive species) have leptomorph rhizome systems. Long, thin roots grow horizontally underground and spread fast. They’ve been known to spread as far as 20 feet or more from the parent plant if not properly controlled.
Runners can be very useful in temperate climates and when a large space is available. If you need a fast-growing, dense privacy screen or if you need a species of bamboo that will grow well in a temperate climate. Then a running bamboo will fit those specifications.
It is important to note that their spread can be controlled with physical barriers.
Palmco only grows and sells CLUMPING BAMBOOS.
Clumping bamboos (the non-invasive ones) have a pachymorph rhizome system.
The short, thick roots grow in a close clump and expand very slowly. In fact, clumpers are not genetically capable of expanding more than a few inches per year. Each new rhizome produces only a single culm, located very close to its mother culm. They turn upward, becoming canes immediately, and are easy to maintain.
Unfortunately, most clumping bamboos are not cold hardy, so they can be difficult to grow outside of zones 8 to 10.
At Palmco, we specialize in non-invasive clumping bamboos that are well-suited to the hot Florida climate as well as the Southeastern US. They are cold hardy to about +20° F, primarily those of the genus Bambusa and Dendrocalamus. Many of these clumping bamboo varieties have only become available in the U.S. during the past decade, providing a new, exciting element for landscapes.
A visit to our 600+ acre plantation on Palm Island, Florida, will help you identify the best bamboo species for any landscaping project.
Clumping bamboo has many uses in landscaping.
Landscaping Bamboo Uses
- Dramatic focal point
- Privacy screens
- Living fences Hedges Driveway plantings
- Noise barriers
- Windbreaks
- Storm barriers
- Backdrops for other tropical plants
- Soil stabilizer on slopes and river banks
Clumping bamboo can help you define separate spaces on a large property.
Build a bamboo wall between a swimming pool and playground. Use it to screen off garages and work areas or to block an unpleasant view. Some varieties make excellent container plants for patios and poolside planting.
Tall, erect varieties are beautiful when used as avenue plantings, and specimen clumps can create a spectacular focal point in a landscape. The best way to get information about which non invasive bamboo species will work best in your project is to talk to the experts at Palmco.
Check out the descriptions of clumping bamboo on our website, or tour our Bokeelia, Florida plantation.
Call us at (239) 283-1329. We’re ready to help you transform your landscape into a tropical paradise!
