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Clumping Bamboo in the Landscape Market by Chris Cusack All images & content Copyright © 2012, Bamboo World Pty. Ltd. We are a family business, specialising in non-invasive clumping bamboo for over 20 years. Located in Alstonville, Northern NSW. We supply the retail and landscape market. Running vs Clumping Bamboo Running Bamboo Acceptance as a Mainstream Plant 20 years ago • Grown by few collectors • Mostly running species available, Phyllostachys aurea/nigra 10 years ago • Garden centres showing interest • Burkes backyard + magazine articles Now • A few growers in every state • Suppliers in most major population areas • Available in most major garden centres Major Genus Types • Bambusa • Dendrocalamus • Gigantochloa • Schizostachyum • Others Analysis as a Landscaping Plant Benefits •Fast growing •Self mulching •Effective screening •Variation - structural to soft •Maintainable •Erosion control •Attractive in a modern/Asian usage Limitations •Requires area •Self mulching •Seasonal •Foliage damages easily in dry •Indoor / Aircon Design Information Growth Rate • • • Full height in 2 to 3 years. Increase density over time Culms do not grow radially like normal plant emerge as shoot at final diameter Recent customer • Malay dwarf variegated • 200mm pots • 12 months Plant Height • Full height can be • • • • • achieved in 2 to 3 years Many published label heights are misleading, often larger than stated. Height can vary almost 100% depending upon environmental factors Moisture & Humidity = taller Canopy = taller Full open sun = shorter Clump Widths • • • • • Basal diameter = species, age & environment. Grow radially from young plant. Culm spacing = rhizome length = diameter indicator Rate of diameter increase slows over time. 1 to 2m typical for ‘normal’ garden variety over 10 years. Considerations in Public Areas. • • • Itchy culm leaf hairs (some species) Vandalism - larger poles Leaf drop Foliage Companion Plants • • • • Grow well with deep rooted plants eg. gums etc. Take surface water with root mat, leaving other plants dry. Smother close ground plants with leaf mulch. eg. cycads, rhoeo, small grasses are buried. Will keep grass back from clump after 2 years. Water • Water is important for growth • • • • in spring / summer. Growth contributors are 80% water, 20% humidity, fertiliser, soil etc. Water is required to extend shoots. Clumps will survive in flood BUT can ultimately be drowned if roots rot. Better wet but drained, especially if dormant in winter. Once fully grown, water is less critical. Water stress is indicated by rolling/folding leaves, closely followed by leaf tip damage and defoliation. Seasonal Cycle • • • Dormant from Autumn to early spring. Night temperatures < 10 DegC Feeder root & foliage growth in first 3 to 4 months. Shoot season for the remaining. Active vigorous growth. Transplanting • Physically easy to • • • • remove. Dehydration after removal the main issue. Foliage and culm dieback Can effect the form of the plant. Starting from a smaller bag if often a nicer effect given the growth rate. Maintenance • Pole thinning • Hedge, topiary • • • or topping Shoot removal Tying back Branch trimming Pest & Disease • • • • • • Most problems are in the confined environment of a production nursery. Scale - selected species Mealy bug - selected species Spider mite - selected species Grasshoppers Fungal leaf spotting Common Problems • 30% Poor plant species • • • • • selection 25% Poor plant spacing/location 30% Insufficient water 5% Pest/Disease 5% Neighbour poison 5% Other Shapes and Sizes There is a huge variation in shape and size in clumping bamboo from 2m fine soft cascade plants to 30m structural timber. Small Mountain Bamboos Himalayan weeping bamboo Nepalese blue Purple Jade Typically 3 to 4m, weeping habit, soft folliage, cold tolerant Screening • • • • 2-4m Malay Dwarf Variegated 6-7m Gracilis 7-9m Striped weavers 10-14m Oldhamii Slender Weavers Bamboo (Bambusa textilis gracilis) • • • • • • • 6-8m Cold tolerant (12DegC) Hardy Vertical Tight form Maintainable 2m spacing Oldhamii • • 10-14m Rural windbreaks Feature - Medium • 7 to 10m range • Green Ghost Bamboo • Burmese stripe Feature Large • Height 12m - 20m • Structural vertical • features Folliage often at higher levels Java black Timor Black Hitam Canopy & Forest Floor • • • Low maintenance areas Self mulching Grid spacings 6-12m Further Reading
