Inspirational beautiful fence Thanks for the hint on spreading bamboo. Mine is corralled by a cement curb, but even so, I don't want it to spread too much.

The fence is kinda cool BUT she is another misinformed bamboo owner who doesn't realize the culms sprout in early spring and the underground network of rhizomes spread undeterred in the fall just before going dormant. Kicking down a stalk does nothing to destroy the underground network. Check out Institute for bamboo Research. Running bamboo can destroy your property value.

Very hard to believe that a garden designer is unaware of the problems and properties of bamboo. Along with English ivy and pachysandra, I'd NEVER plant bamboo on my property. One of my neighbors planted it after renovating the home in 2012. Just this week the gardeners were at the house ripping it out and planting arbor vitaes. I just hope and pray it doesn't come back or spread.

What beautiful pictures! Nice fence you've got there!

Not all bamboo is invasive - it depends on your level of care and whether the rhizomes are the clumping or running kind. Here is a paper from the American Bamboo Society:

http://www.bamboo.org/wp/news/files/downloads/2012/05/Bamboo-Invasiveness-and-Control-Statement-draft-6-1.pdf

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I'm talking about running bamboo not clumping bamboo.

The fence is gorgeous....great job and a nod to Andy Goldsworthy is always a good thing! What I don't understand is your reference at the end. You first said that these were poles that had been dug and roots chopped off. Then you said you kick off the shoots. And then that the fence is still standing and shoots under control. So I must assume that the bamboo planting somewhere else and that the fence is not living, correct, but just poles without roots?

Also....I have grown running bamboos as privacy screens for decades. The ONLY way to control it from running all over your property is to contain it in bamboo barrier. That is 18-24" high thick plastic that must be placed vertically into a narrow trench surrounding the entire bed of bamboo. Then maintenance involves cutting out the thin stalks every spring and fall, as well as general thinning every year. IT still is a pain, but mostly worth it, to me.

Ditto last comment! Fence is gorgeous and what a great way of repurposing bamboo after it has been removed. This is not a living fence. What a great way of recycling bamboo! Especially if you have a lot of it! And seems like she's attempting to keep it from invading her yard, and from the look of her photo, she's doing a great job!

Your experiment is insane, and the bamboo will make you pay for the mistake of introducing such a species into a beautiful forest . There are many other "safe and sane" ways to sculpture using natural materials which will enhance your forest without threatening its' integrity.

Oh good grief! Ecoscape, then she should tear down her house as well. No doubt it has defaced the forest. I love how she's repurposed her bamboo.

The validity of any garden design only goes as far as the lead maintenance persons' willingness to perform the required heroics.

Thanks for your comments.

I inherited a yard of running bamboo; I did not plant it. To remove it, I hand dug it out. However, there likely were some rhizomes missed or which came back from adjoining properties.

This area in the yard is a considered a conservation easement with strict restrictions. I was not approved to put a barrier down because of the threat to the existing tree roots. Nor could I bring any machinery back there, which possibly could have been more effective to eradicate the bamboo, nor could I spray. Although one would think a conservation agenda from the county would want to be accommodating to rid the bamboo and plant native plants, I found a lot of restrictions.

I think the fence is beautiful and I especially like your calm replies to comments!

P.S. Maybe if you called it garden sculpture rather than a fence fewer people would assume that it's living bamboo.

Love what you did---great job--and great that you are trying to keep any from coming back---My mom keeps threatening to plant bamboo---told her she better not---I know what a pain it is and she would not control it. Love how you get your frustration taken care of---LOL

Can Bamboo grow in large pots? I am considering planting some for future usage and having read through the messages here I thought it might be an idea to ask for some advice. Oh and which Bamboo is best suited to construction? Thank you

Yes it Can, we have. Try black bamboo it is beautiful.

Agree! Black bamboo, phyllostacha nigra, is a popular bamboo for containers. It can look stunning and works great if you want some height.

A long container would work best. For width - could be as narrow as 18". This is a running bamboo so you need to be careful even in a container. Keep your eye on the drainage holes to make sure roots do net get through.

Depending where you live the bamboo in containers may need some protection from winter.

Regarding construction - any bamboo could work fine.

The larger containers will help the bamboo perform better and longer, but in year 3-5 the root density will begin to diminish plant performance and it will require scads of water. Repotting is then the only way forward. Bamboo will break terra cotta in 3 years, wood, using 2x12 's reinforced with 2x4's is best.

Go to The Institute for Bamboo Research for a ton of information. Running bamboo will destroy property Phylostachys aureosulcata. All bamboo sheds leaves constantly. You'll be raking in December so hope you have a lot of patience.

I love bamboo leaves for brown layering in my compost piles. Fabulous mulch also in the veggie garden.

Bamboo roots are dominant in the entire soil volume, and physically out-compete any other plants' roots, and I believe the leaf sheaths have some allelopathic factor which suppresses growth of other plants. It's a Faustian bargain even I tinker with. I have Chinese timber bamboo on grey water , 40 ft high and doing a wonderful job of hiding the ugly two story apt. building next door.

What fun and the photos are great!!