DIY Network

The Dirt On Backyard Bamboo Tips for selecting bamboo for your yard — and guarding against rampant growth. From "The Dirt On..." episode DTDO-111

Bamboo can be an attractive addition to your yard, but one with an inherent risk.

Bamboo is one of the hottest backyard landscaping trends. It's cool, it's tropical looking and it will grow just about anywhere. But there can be a problem with invasive varieties that won't stay put.

If you're not careful, you may get more than you bargained for and turn your whole neighborhood into a bamboo jungle. One sure way to avoid that situation is to plant non-invasive types. But if you can't do that, there are some measures you can take to help contain bamboo growth.

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Figure A

All bamboos have a thick, horizontal stem called a rhizome that grows underground and sends out shoots from which new plants will ow. The rhizome system for non-invasive or "clumping" bamboos expands very slowly each year and the new shoots that do come up stay compact and grow close together. This results in a plant that grows in a clump — growing "up" rather than "out" —which is perfect for most backyard landscapes.

Most clumping varieties are tropical. Others are more cold tolerant, but may not survive long, hot summers. Check with your nursery profesional to make sure that the one you're considering will work in your climate.

Clumping varieties include: Fargesia, fountain bamboo, Mexican weeping bamboo and umbrella bamboo

Invasive or "running" bamboo varieties have rhizomes (figure A) that grow out rapidly, constantly sending up new shoots. These new shoots don't clump closely together, but rather spread outward — hence their nickname "running" bamboo.

Some varieties will spread faster than others, but you should watch any invasive variety you plant very closely because, when it does grow out of control, bamboo can be a tough plant to remove. Unfortunately these invasive varieties are commonly sold in nurseries because they can be grown in temperate climates. The most common varieties are black bamboo, which is a moderate runner, and golden bamboo, which is incredibly invasive.

Figure B

Ideally you'd want to stick with clumping varieties, but since not everybody has the climate for it, if you plant a "running" bamboo you'll need to find a way to keep the runners under control. They need a strong physical barrier to constrict them. You could either use a planter made of brick or concrete or lock it in with a specialized barrier called a root barrier or rhizome barrier (figure B).

To install this type of barrier, dig a 2-3 foot trench around your bamboo. This will be the cut-off point for growth so use it to mark a boundary defining the maximum space you want your bamboo to fill. Slant the barrier slightly outward at the top of the trench, keeping it an inch or two above ground level. The reason for the slant is to deflect the root upward so you can cut it out. Make sure to cut it down once it hits the top or it could grow back underground.

You could also build a moat around your bamboo to contain it since t won't grow too far into water. Whatever method you choose, eventually the bamboo will get too big for its space and you'll need to dig it up and divide it. When it starts sending up smaller shoots, you'll know it's outgrown your area.

If you're looking for a simple solution, you can always grow bamboo in a container. Large containers are available from most nurseries. However, if you plant the invasive bamboo in a container, remember that it's pretty strong so be prepared to sacrifice your pot. The roots will grow right up to the edge and eventually burst through. So either plant a clumping variety in a pot big enough to allow it to grow, or buy a cheaper container you don't mind replacing.