What to Do – Bamboo
Episode: # 2 17/3/07
Presenter: Sue McDougal
Local Perth gardeners are turning to the tropics for inspiration in their own backyard. Large frangipanis with, their subtly perfumed flowers conjure images of warm balmy tropical nights. And we are so lucky that we have the perfect climate for many tropical plants to thrive.
Gardens are a place to be enjoyed and not a slave to
Large trees are something most people are faced with when they move into a new home, many people remove them but who would, they add so much shade to the garden. Now if you have got the problem with having large trees, there are many great ideas that Sue shows us to work around them.
Many an hour was spent raking leaves and getting rid of them, but now they are just left for mulch and left to break down over time. Okay it does not look the neatest but it is recreating the natural rainforest environment and the plants on the border keep any leaves in the garden beds. Plant selection is one of the keys.
Have you ever had anything to do with growing bamboo? Most gardeners get scared when the word is mentioned as they think that it will take over the whole garden, but it is simply not true. Bamboo has been used to create a great effect in many gardens and as an added bonus it does not use any extra water over the summer while still looking really good.
Bamboos are actually a giant grass and there are about 120 different species growing in tropical and sub tropical areas over the world and basically the two varieties we see here in Perth are clumping and running types. The Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex) is compact; it gets to about 3-4m high and stays nice and neat. It also looks really good in a pot and is one of the most readily available varieties at the garden centres.
Duranta Geisha Girl is a tough hardy plant that has dark glossy foliage and when it flowers at this time of the year it’s a knockout. After its finished flowering, you can cut it back lightly if you feel the urge. It’s also a perfect choice for a hedge
The green and yellow striped variety, Variegated Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusiodes ‘Castilloni’) is spectacular as a specimen in the garden. Large canes of contrasting colour are a standout amongst a background of green foliage. Variegated bamboo is also good if you have a narrow bed, and want to screen out the 2 story house next door.
If you are concerned that the Bamboo will take over your garden, then stay away from the Black Bamboo, as this variety does run, and they can take years to eradicate from a garden.
To control running bamboos dig a big hole to 90cm deep and line the hole with fibreglass sheeting. Ensure there is overlap and back fill the hole with good soil. Plant the bamboo in the middle of the area and the fibreglass sheeting will as it will ensure the plant will not take over the whole back garden. The other option is a thick walled plastic drum with the bottom cut out of it.
There is another way to remove the shoots as they come up, this is an ongoing maintenance procedure but Sue says it is much easier to remove a shoot when it is only 20cm high, rather than when it is firmly established. Use the fibreglass sheeting trick if planting up against a fence to ensure the plant will not creep through to the neighbour’s side of the fence. You can bury the sheeting all along the fence line, which is also a good way to stop any roots from trees on the neighbour’s side of the fence coming into your garden beds.
Presenter: Sue McDougal
Local Perth gardeners are turning to the tropics for inspiration in their own backyard. Large frangipanis with, their subtly perfumed flowers conjure images of warm balmy tropical nights. And we are so lucky that we have the perfect climate for many tropical plants to thrive.
Gardens are a place to be enjoyed and not a slave to
Large trees are something most people are faced with when they move into a new home, many people remove them but who would, they add so much shade to the garden. Now if you have got the problem with having large trees, there are many great ideas that Sue shows us to work around them.
Many an hour was spent raking leaves and getting rid of them, but now they are just left for mulch and left to break down over time. Okay it does not look the neatest but it is recreating the natural rainforest environment and the plants on the border keep any leaves in the garden beds. Plant selection is one of the keys.
Have you ever had anything to do with growing bamboo? Most gardeners get scared when the word is mentioned as they think that it will take over the whole garden, but it is simply not true. Bamboo has been used to create a great effect in many gardens and as an added bonus it does not use any extra water over the summer while still looking really good.
Bamboos are actually a giant grass and there are about 120 different species growing in tropical and sub tropical areas over the world and basically the two varieties we see here in Perth are clumping and running types. The Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex) is compact; it gets to about 3-4m high and stays nice and neat. It also looks really good in a pot and is one of the most readily available varieties at the garden centres.
Duranta Geisha Girl is a tough hardy plant that has dark glossy foliage and when it flowers at this time of the year it’s a knockout. After its finished flowering, you can cut it back lightly if you feel the urge. It’s also a perfect choice for a hedge
The green and yellow striped variety, Variegated Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusiodes ‘Castilloni’) is spectacular as a specimen in the garden. Large canes of contrasting colour are a standout amongst a background of green foliage. Variegated bamboo is also good if you have a narrow bed, and want to screen out the 2 story house next door.
If you are concerned that the Bamboo will take over your garden, then stay away from the Black Bamboo, as this variety does run, and they can take years to eradicate from a garden.
To control running bamboos dig a big hole to 90cm deep and line the hole with fibreglass sheeting. Ensure there is overlap and back fill the hole with good soil. Plant the bamboo in the middle of the area and the fibreglass sheeting will as it will ensure the plant will not take over the whole back garden. The other option is a thick walled plastic drum with the bottom cut out of it.
There is another way to remove the shoots as they come up, this is an ongoing maintenance procedure but Sue says it is much easier to remove a shoot when it is only 20cm high, rather than when it is firmly established. Use the fibreglass sheeting trick if planting up against a fence to ensure the plant will not creep through to the neighbour’s side of the fence. You can bury the sheeting all along the fence line, which is also a good way to stop any roots from trees on the neighbour’s side of the fence coming into your garden beds.
AS SEEN ON 
