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Bamboos & grasses to help hide my shed, any recommendations?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Samuel_1988, Apr 13, 2014.

  1. Samuel_1988

    Samuel_1988 Gardener

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    Evening all,

    I am trying to hide my shed and as part of my plan I was thinking of planting some tall bamboos/grasses in containers (so I can easily control them/they wont get out of hand) and I was wondering if anyone could recommend any particular plant groups/species?

    Also should I raise the plant pots with some bricks so the plant roots wont grow into the ground soil and spread/become uncontrollable?

    Thank you for your replies,

    Samuel
     
  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Pampas grass in a huge pot maybe?
     
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    • Madahhlia

      Madahhlia Total Gardener

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      Putting stuff in containers would probably work as a screen but they won't grow as big and lush as if their roots were in the ground and they will be much more work to look after.

      With really invasive things I don't think I would trust the roots not to find their way into the ground somehow, even if they are raised on bricks.

      A good screening plant for the summer would be this sort of thing.
      http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/helianthus-angustifolius
      Big, self-supporting, reliable and easy. However, not evergreen and will be invasive, though not impossible to dig out.

      Another tall favourite of mine is
      http://www.digthedirt.com/plants/12670-poppies-macleaya-cordata
      I have never found it invasive, in fact I wish it was.

      Or, just plain old hollyhocks.

      Have you got your heart set on bamboos/grasses?
       
    • Samuel_1988

      Samuel_1988 Gardener

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      Thank you for your replies.

      No I am open minded in what I want to use as long as it is 'easy' to maintain, easy to control and has a year round presence (bonus if good for wildlife).

      I wouldn't mind including an area for other plants such as annuals, biennials etc that may help to achieve the overall aim.
       
    • Samuel_1988

      Samuel_1988 Gardener

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      Overall aim of camouflaging the shed.
       
    • clueless1

      clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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      My bamboo is two or three years old now and quite tall, but it wouldn't hide anything. The way it sways in the breeze combined with its thin growth means you can pretty much see straight through it.

      What is the ultimate goal? Is it to hide the shed entirely, to make it more ornamental, or to simply have the 'hidden in plain sight' objective of your eye is always drawn to something else so you don't really notice it?
       
    • Sirius

      Sirius Total Gardener

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      One of the clumping bamboo - Fargesia or Borinda.
       
    • Samuel_1988

      Samuel_1988 Gardener

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      The hidden in plain sight objective I am trying to go for :)
       
    • clueless1

      clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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      In that case then you maybe need something subtle in front of the shed, and something much more eye catching just off to the side of it perhaps. Plus other features to draw the eye elsewhere other than in the direction of the shed:)
       
    • Sirius

      Sirius Total Gardener

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      Fargesia are a clumping bamboo.
      The culms grow closely together, so you can't really see through them.
      I have one growing in front of a fence. Will take a photo over the weekend if I remember :whistle:
       
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