{"id":2803,"date":"2020-03-28T00:05:31","date_gmt":"2020-03-28T07:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/pal\/pal-question-59\/"},"modified":"2024-04-13T11:55:43","modified_gmt":"2024-04-13T18:55:43","slug":"clumping-bamboo","status":"publish","type":"pal","link":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/pal\/clumping-bamboo\/","title":{"rendered":"Clumping bamboo"},"content":{"rendered":"

I would like to have some bamboo planted in my backyard for privacy. However, I am uncertain as to which species will work the best. The planting area will be about 8 feet by 2 feet near a wooden fence. The area does get some sun but is mostly shady. I am looking for bamboo that is fast growing but not invasive. I want it to grow upwardly fast (no more than 30 feet) but I don’t want it to invade my neighbor’s property on the other side of the fence. Could you recommend at least three different bamboo species that would work for this area?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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In the December 2005 issue of Horticulture <\/i> magazine, local author Val Easton recommends a number of different clumping bamboos. (You should choose clumping rather than running bamboo for your privacy screen, as they will not be likely to invade your neighbor’s property.)<\/p>\n

Here are three recommendations from her article:<\/p>\n

Borinda macclureana<\/em> – hardy to USDA Zone 7 part sun, 12 – 20 feet tall<\/p>\n

Fargesia robusta<\/em> – hardy to USDA Zone 6, dense erect to 16 feet<\/p>\n

Thamnocalamus tessellatus<\/em> – hardy to USDA Zone 7 upright to 16 feet<\/p>\n

Local gardening expert Ciscoe Morris recommends Chusquea culeou<\/em> and several species of Fargesia<\/em> in his book Ask Ciscoe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article<\/a> from Horticulture<\/em> Magazine (May 2007) also has a good list of clumping bamboo:<\/p>\n