How invasive is black bamboo in the uk?

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by K78, Jul 2, 2019.

  1. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    47,693
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +84,308
    Not a bamboo grower myself other than a few plants of some I grew from seed many years ago.
    I think you just need to look up if it is a clump forming one or one of the more vigorous types.

    I'm finding two types, one which is invasive Phyllostachys nigra, and one called Timor bamboo, Bambusa lako, which is a clump former.:scratch:

    But then I noticed the site was Australian :biggrin:
    So likely the Bambusa is not hardy here.

    If you really like it, I'd plant it and keep an eye on it, if it looks like its going to cause problems after a year or two get it out before it does.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jan 31, 2012
      Messages:
      6,039
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Mad Scientist
      Location:
      Paignton Devon
      Ratings:
      +20,938
      I have Phyllostachys nigra, had it for about 12 years now. It does spread but not uncontrollably. I thin it every year and have cut pieces off it to give to other gardeners.
       
      • Like Like x 3
      • CarolineL

        CarolineL Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 12, 2016
        Messages:
        1,597
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Retired Software engineer
        Location:
        Rural Carmarthenshire
        Ratings:
        +4,303
        I had Phyllostachys nigra and the plant just enlarged gently. Very slow for me over 5-10 years. Maybe there are a few different clones in cultivation? Some nutters and others more respectable.
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • Agree Agree x 2
        • K78

          K78 Gardener

          Joined:
          Sep 18, 2018
          Messages:
          67
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +14
          Verdun lives in Cornwall so I guess that could have a big effect.

          A few different sources say it doesn’t “wander”

          Phyllostachys Nigra
           
        • BigC

          BigC Super Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 13, 2017
          Messages:
          495
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Northern Ireland
          Ratings:
          +1,765
          From a personal aspect, I have had Nigra for around 15 years now. I bought it from a plant catalogue at around 18 inches tall
          Phyllostachys nigra | J Parker Dutch Bulbs
          Slow growing and relatively maintenance free, just add water lol
          It is now a clump of around 8ft high by 4 foot spread hemmed in along a fence and between two conifer trees. It has a small cane diameter and for me, it doesn't run at all, neither through the pathway and into the lawn or backward through the fence. This was one of the reasons I chose this bamboo sp. I didn't want an invasive type. New growth is green whilst the older wood is black, and as I've already mentioned the Bamboo Cane itself is fairly slim (not thick). The clump is tight and dense and I top it every year to keep it tidy. One thing I will say, yes it does need tying up to keep it from drooping all over the place and it does shed a lot of leaves, I'm forever sweeping up after it hahahaha but I do love this plant it forms part of my fence screen for privacy in the garden. would I buy it again?... For Sure
           
          • Like Like x 2
            Last edited: Jul 3, 2019
          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jan 31, 2012
            Messages:
            6,039
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Mad Scientist
            Location:
            Paignton Devon
            Ratings:
            +20,938
            My cane diameter is now up to thumb size and 12ft+ long, the thinnings are used around the garden for supports. As BigC said the colour develops over a couple of years. I remove the lower leaves at the front so I can see a good length of the black cane. I'd describe them as self mulching, although local cats like to lay there and sun bathe. As mine is exposed to cold winds it does suffer with the leaves getting brown tips and edges.
            Also watch out for the leaf tips catching your eye, very painful. Eye protection advisable when working on it.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • BigC

              BigC Super Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 13, 2017
              Messages:
              495
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Northern Ireland
              Ratings:
              +1,765
              Interesting to note that your canes are thumb size @NigelJ after 15 years mine are very slender and nowhere near that. Wondering if they are the same or grow differently over differing conditions and sites
               
            • Who am I?

              Who am I? Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 9, 2019
              Messages:
              51
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Dorset Coast.
              Ratings:
              +44
              Hi K78. If you're concerned about them running stick them in pots. I recently divided a P. Nigra that had been in a builders trug for several years. It was still well contained within the pot. I posted on another thread here and someone kindly gave me a link to a large pot supplier. www.hartcanna.com
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Verdun

                Verdun Passionate gardener

                Joined:
                Oct 16, 2012
                Messages:
                7,475
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                West Cornwall
                Ratings:
                +17,486
                I guess I am outvoted :)
                Maybe the mild climate has an effect on running bamboos!!!! :noidea:

                Go for it then K78. Keep an eye out though for any possible wayward runners :)
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • Friendly Friendly x 1
                • BigC

                  BigC Super Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 13, 2017
                  Messages:
                  495
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Northern Ireland
                  Ratings:
                  +1,765
                  NO, not at all @Verdun
                  Nigel mentions that his var. has thumb sized canes. Mine sold as P. niger from above link. has canes nowhere near that size. I would put my canes in the region of 6-8mm could there be different variants and spp. in circulation or does, as you say, location, soil type, and climate play a huge part or simply that @NigelJ has small thumbs
                  :rofllol:
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • Funny Funny x 1
                  • K78

                    K78 Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Sep 18, 2018
                    Messages:
                    67
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Ratings:
                    +14
                  • andrews

                    andrews Super Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Aug 28, 2018
                    Messages:
                    900
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Waste Management and Consultancy
                    Location:
                    South Yorkshire
                    Ratings:
                    +2,369
                    Bamboo will break through that bag no problem.

                    We decided to remove our black bamboo last year. It had been in about 14 years and the roots were a tangled mess of really woody growth. I cant get a spade in to dig it out so have cut it down and poison any new growth, breaking off the stubs of cane when they weaken.

                    We found black bamboo to be clump forming but it does spread over time.

                    I wont plant bamboo in the garden now as it is a brute. We had a running bamboo send roots 25 feet under a patio and re-emerge. Its a determined plant !
                     
                    • Like Like x 2
                    • K78

                      K78 Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Sep 18, 2018
                      Messages:
                      67
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Ratings:
                      +14
                      They would only be in the bags for a week or so.
                       
                    • NigelJ

                      NigelJ Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jan 31, 2012
                      Messages:
                      6,039
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Mad Scientist
                      Location:
                      Paignton Devon
                      Ratings:
                      +20,938
                      @BigC My canes are about twice the diameter of yours, but took 10+ years to get there. They get the occasional handful of blood fish and bone and water in very dry weather like last summer.
                      @andrews I removed a Fargesia nitidia this spring and found a mattock the best thing for dealing with the mattress of roots. Even then it was hard work.
                       
                    • CarolineL

                      CarolineL Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jun 12, 2016
                      Messages:
                      1,597
                      Gender:
                      Female
                      Occupation:
                      Retired Software engineer
                      Location:
                      Rural Carmarthenshire
                      Ratings:
                      +4,303
                      My canes got to thumb size too, but mine didn't even get fed unless they accidentally got a scattering of chicken manure because I have no aim... I still hold to my theory about the different clones - I was lucky and got a respectable one, and @Verdun got some nutters!:)
                      I wouldn't grow it again because to get an elegant view of separated black canes means getting in there and clearing the middle of the clump. And that is difficult - you have little room to wield the long handled secateurs.
                       
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice