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#1
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bamboo questions
We have a 6' stucco wall in our back yard, and beyond that wall is a fairly
busy street and a large retail complex (stores, banks, restaurants, etc.). Want to screen that view up to about 25'. I had a stucco retaining wall built along the outside of the 50' stucco wall to encloses a 3'x50' area to plant bamboo. We live in San Diego about 10 miles inland from the coast (zone 10 I think). Our back yard is only about 25' deep, so this bamboo will be right on top of us and needs to have an erect habit so the back yard doesn't get too claustrophobic. My questions: 1. I want to mix bamboos, both for the look and so that if one type doesn't do well or flowers or something that the entire screen doesn't thin out. Would runners and clumpers do ok together together in such a restricted area, or is it better to go exclusively with one or the other. The clumper would be B. oldhamii and the runners would be Phyllostachys (vivax and henon and possibly a smaller plant as well)? 2. We've been getting a lot of conflicting opinions from bamboo sellers on whether B. oldhamii should be planted in a 3' wide area. Of the six or so we've talked to, 3 or 4 recommended against it (two very strongly) and two said it would do fine (one very strongly). How much room (width) does oldhamii need? And if the space is smaller than optimal will the plants just be shorter than normal or will they just not develop at all? I've seen picutures of oldhamii growing as a screen along some narrow strips (see the Burbank, Irvine, and Long Beach photos at the link below), so I have my doubts about the nay-sayers: http://www.endangeredspecies.com/Bam...ambusa/BO.html 3. Because the 50' wall is solid, I'd like the lower culms to be exposed. I like that look and don't need the screen below 6'. Given our situation (3'x50' enclosed area, zone 10, at least 25' tall, erect habit, etc.), but ignoring #1 and #2 above (our style preferences), what would you recommend as the best solution for a hardy and attractive 25+ feet tall screen? (In other words, if this was your house ...). Thanks for your help. Rob |
#2
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"Robert Sefton" wrote in message ...
1. I want to mix bamboos, both for the look and so that if one type doesn't do well or flowers or something that the entire screen doesn't thin out. Would runners and clumpers do ok together together in such a restricted area, or is it better to go exclusively with one or the other. The clumper would be B. oldhamii and the runners would be Phyllostachys (vivax and henon and possibly a smaller plant as well)? 2. We've been getting a lot of conflicting opinions from bamboo sellers on whether B. oldhamii should be planted in a 3' wide area. Of the six or so we've talked to, 3 or 4 recommended against it (two very strongly) and two said it would do fine (one very strongly). How much room (width) does oldhamii need? And if the space is smaller than optimal will the plants just be shorter than normal or will they just not develop at all? I've seen picutures of oldhamii growing as a screen along some narrow strips (see the Burbank, Irvine, and Long Beach photos at the link below), so I have my doubts about the nay-sayers: http://www.endangeredspecies.com/Bam...ambusa/BO.html 3. Because the 50' wall is solid, I'd like the lower culms to be exposed. I like that look and don't need the screen below 6'. Given our situation (3'x50' enclosed area, zone 10, at least 25' tall, erect habit, etc.), but ignoring #1 and #2 above (our style preferences), what would you recommend as the best solution for a hardy and attractive 25+ feet tall screen? (In other words, if this was your house ...). Rob, I have runners and clumpers growing in my yard in different places for different reasons. MY preference is for a large runner as they have clean canes and will give you a more "open" feel. However, if you have issues like neighbors who would not appreciate the little "gifts" that runners will supply, then go with clumpers. If you put Oldhamii in a narrow area like that, it will require you to put effort into it. I make sure my clumpers do not come in contact with my block walls. Runners will deflect themselves from the walls, clumpers will continue to build pressure against them until something is damaged. If you keep a couple feet clearance from the wall, you should be ok. I dig the shoots that start getting too close to the wall and either pot them up for sale, or if you are so inclined you can eat them. If you are in the Southern California area, you have many MANY choices for bamboo, depending on your area and climate you can even get some decent specimen plants. For a solid hedge, if you want a green wall that can not be penetrated, I would use "Golden Bamboo", a vigorous runner that fill in fast and start to get size. If you top the culms you will get super thick leaf growth. I've seen a Golden hedge less than 12" thick where you couldn't see to the other side. If you want the look of bamboo and don't mind the opening there is P. Bambusoides or Vivax. If you want an open clumper with lots of color, there is Bambusa Vulgaris "Vitatta". So, if you have runners, do something to prevent escape. IF you have clumpers, keep them from getting too close to the walls. Good luck! Chris Chino,CA |
#3
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"Robert Sefton" wrote in message ...
1. I want to mix bamboos, both for the look and so that if one type doesn't do well or flowers or something that the entire screen doesn't thin out. Would runners and clumpers do ok together together in such a restricted area, or is it better to go exclusively with one or the other. The clumper would be B. oldhamii and the runners would be Phyllostachys (vivax and henon and possibly a smaller plant as well)? 2. We've been getting a lot of conflicting opinions from bamboo sellers on whether B. oldhamii should be planted in a 3' wide area. Of the six or so we've talked to, 3 or 4 recommended against it (two very strongly) and two said it would do fine (one very strongly). How much room (width) does oldhamii need? And if the space is smaller than optimal will the plants just be shorter than normal or will they just not develop at all? I've seen picutures of oldhamii growing as a screen along some narrow strips (see the Burbank, Irvine, and Long Beach photos at the link below), so I have my doubts about the nay-sayers: http://www.endangeredspecies.com/Bam...ambusa/BO.html 3. Because the 50' wall is solid, I'd like the lower culms to be exposed. I like that look and don't need the screen below 6'. Given our situation (3'x50' enclosed area, zone 10, at least 25' tall, erect habit, etc.), but ignoring #1 and #2 above (our style preferences), what would you recommend as the best solution for a hardy and attractive 25+ feet tall screen? (In other words, if this was your house ...). Rob, I have runners and clumpers growing in my yard in different places for different reasons. MY preference is for a large runner as they have clean canes and will give you a more "open" feel. However, if you have issues like neighbors who would not appreciate the little "gifts" that runners will supply, then go with clumpers. If you put Oldhamii in a narrow area like that, it will require you to put effort into it. I make sure my clumpers do not come in contact with my block walls. Runners will deflect themselves from the walls, clumpers will continue to build pressure against them until something is damaged. If you keep a couple feet clearance from the wall, you should be ok. I dig the shoots that start getting too close to the wall and either pot them up for sale, or if you are so inclined you can eat them. If you are in the Southern California area, you have many MANY choices for bamboo, depending on your area and climate you can even get some decent specimen plants. For a solid hedge, if you want a green wall that can not be penetrated, I would use "Golden Bamboo", a vigorous runner that fill in fast and start to get size. If you top the culms you will get super thick leaf growth. I've seen a Golden hedge less than 12" thick where you couldn't see to the other side. If you want the look of bamboo and don't mind the opening there is P. Bambusoides or Vivax. If you want an open clumper with lots of color, there is Bambusa Vulgaris "Vitatta". So, if you have runners, do something to prevent escape. IF you have clumpers, keep them from getting too close to the walls. Good luck! Chris Chino,CA |
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