Bamboo in Containers: a Natural Privacy Solution for Small Spaces
by Joe Ruffatto and Jennifer York
Owners of Bamboo Sourcery, an APLD CA Gold Sponsor
Bamboo is the perfect plant for visual privacy screens and evergreen hedges. It is fast growing, lush, and can grow relatively tall in a small footprint. It also serves as a sound barrier, can assist in erosion control, produces oxygen, sequesters carbon, and creates a peaceful sanctuary. Almost any species can be used for screening; at Bamboo Sourcery, we help you select a type that is properly matched to your climate and growing conditions so that it will grow to the desired height and density in the space available.
In most small spaces (both commercial and residential), growing bamboo in planters or containers is often the best and most economical solution. With the knowledge we have gained from real-world experience, we would like to share the following tips and tricks for the successful installation (and maintenance) of bamboo in containers.
First, it is important to understand that there are two bamboo rhizome types with uniquely different growing habits:
Clumping-type bamboos grow in discrete clumps and do not require containment. Unlike running-type bamboos, they can be planted directly in the ground. They can also be put in planter boxes, assuming they are given enough space for their circular growth habit. "Clumpers" are not always as well-suited as runners for long, narrow applications. There are many colorful, temperate clumpers available, with a variety of cultural and spatial needs, so care must be given to appropriate species selection, particularly in smaller planting areas.
Running-type bamboos are often the best choice for quick, lateral privacy screening, but they always require containment. Planting in containers is typically more cost-effective than planting in the ground; this application guarantees containment and maximizes growing space. "Runners" planted in the ground with rhizome barrier must be kept away from foundations and fencepost footings, while containers can be set right next to structures. Runners are well-suited to narrow or trough style planters because their roots can turn and continue to grow in any direction, expanding the total root mass to support more upper growth. Maintenance is also easier in containers.
Here are some useful pointers for the installation and maintenance of bamboo in containers:
The larger the container, the better. Bamboo likes room to grow, so whatever space you can give it, do! Successfully growing bamboo in small spaces requires attentive maintenance; generally, the smaller the container, the more frequently you will need to water, thin and prune. The ultimate size of the plant will also be impacted by the amount of growing space, typically growing shorter in a smaller space. Sometimes this can be a desirable effect.
Our custom wood planters are designed and built with the specific growth habits and needs of bamboo in mind. They are raised off the ground to provide an air gap for root control and drainage, lined with rhizome barrier, and constructed with removable faces for easier access to the roots when it is time to divide and replant. We often plant in galvanized steel water troughs, which are popular with clients who need a more economical option. We do not advise setting these directly on the ground, but recommend installing them on top of a curb filled with drain rock. We also provide and install Corten steel and other custom metal planters. Ceramic pots will work, but must be chosen with an eye toward form, since the bamboo roots will mold themselves to the shape of the pot, which can make removal for root division challenging. If you plan to plant in concrete planters, we advise lining with plastic rhizome barrier to protect the bamboo. The lime present in concrete can leach into and alkalize the soil (bamboo prefers slight acidity) and the roots can work themselves into cracks, causing damage to concrete structures.
Good drainage is important. Bamboo roots will rot if sitting for too long in standing water or soggy soil. Containers must have adequate drain holes and should not sit in saucers where water collects. Also, in commercial installations with built-in planters, pay special attention to designing excellent drainage – it will pay off in a big way in the long run!
Regular monitoring of the water needs of bamboo installed in containers is critical. Even if your installation is on auto-irrigation, check often to make sure everything is working properly. Unlike ground plantings, there is less of a grace period once containers dry out. Small containers can dry out more quickly and need extra attention. For the ultimate success of a commercial installation, it is best to arrange for a consistent maintenance crew and educate them about these issues.
Don't set containers of running bamboo directly on bare ground. There is always a chance a wayward rhizome can get into the soil and take off! Placement on blocks, a strip of root barrier, cement, or decking avoids this issue altogether. If you are building or buying wood boxes, make sure they are constructed with a visible air gap between the bottom of the box and the ground. That way, if you see a root peeking out, you can just clip it off.
Bamboo, like most plants in containers, eventually becomes root-bound. When it does, the water runs around the outside of the rootball without truly penetrating and the plant becomes more vulnerable to drying out and dying. A root-bound pot can be submerged in a few inches of water in another container for an hour or so to re-hydrate it. This is hard to do with a large container, and in general it’s best to either divide the plant or re-pot it into a larger container before it reaches this state.
Maintenance is key to ensuring successful planting in containers. Removing dead, misshapen or tilting canes not only makes your grove more attractive, but also exposes the center to light and air, increases photosynthesis and prolongs the vitality of the planting. At some point you will still have to divide, but thinning can postpone the need for a while. For aesthetic reasons, you can also prune lower branches to show off the canes or top the canes to control height or create a more formal hedge effect.
Regular quarterly fertilizing will help keep your bamboo vital and green. The recommended fertilizer for containers is a balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as 14-14-14 or 16-16-16.
Bamboo is an amazing, varied, and beautiful plant that is well-suited for living privacy screens, especially in small spaces. Bamboo Sourcery has been serving homeowners and landscape professionals in the greater Bay Area for 40 years and we are happy to provide expert consultation on all aspects of design, species selection, installation and long term maintenance of bamboo. We invite you to come visit our demonstration gardens and farm at Bamboo Sourcery, located in Sebastopol, CA. We grow and sell hundreds of temperate bamboo species, both runners and clumpers, from starter plants to towering specimen bamboos that are used for various landscaping and privacy screening purposes. We look forward to meeting you!
For more information visit bamboosourcery.com.