Non-Invasive Hardy Bamboo for 6b?

16 years ago

I am trying to figure out what kind of bamboo to get that would be hardy in my zone, 6b (Central Jersey)..that isn't too invasive, is a fast grower height wise, and only grows to about 12 ft. I want to use it as a privacy screening/fence. If need be I plan on putting them in containers to control running.

Am interested in the Fargesias, but havent figured which one yet? And don't know how invasive they are.

Would they stay up during the winter or need to be cut down in the fall? I am hoping on something that can stay up all winter, and then I can cut back in spring if need be for new growth? I hardly know anything about bamboos as I have just started researching so any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Daniella

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

technodweeb
16 years ago
What - ya posted this 2 days ago? And no answer yet? (sarcastic grin)

Ya got more feedback faster about Bamboo over on the Brug forum! (grinning huge)

Just too funny. . . .

Everyone must be busy.
Embothrium
16 years ago
None of the Fargesia run and a few of them are the most hardy species grown in western gardens. See American Bamboo Society Bamboo online Species Source List for comparative tables.
Related Discussions
faster growing, non-invasive, tall perennials for zone 5
Q
Comments (39)
I received 3 helianthus "lemon queen" for mother's day. Unfortunately 2 of them didn't make it, but the 3rd one did... just barely. Seems, as the plant was just taking off, a ball from over the fence broke most of it off. It has since regrown but hasn't bloomed yet. I also just received 2 replacements from the company my daughter bought the originals from and will plant them as soon as it stops raining. (I may just have to build an ark if it doesn't stop soon!) I've also acquired some Boltonia from a neighbor and bought a black sambucus. Let's see... from seed I started some perennial sunflowers and heliopsis. Most of the new perennials did pretty good this first year but I imagine they'll do even better in the coming years! In the meantime, to fill in the gaps until the perennials fill out I planted tithonia, annual sunflowers, along with scarlet runner beans. Next spring I'm going to transplant a clematis too. All in all it was a successful year keeping the little darlings at bay. They've also made friends in the neighborhood and, now that they're a little older, mom lets them go to the friends' houses so most of the time they're gone. Peace at last. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!
...See More
cold hardy bamboo for Chicago
Q
Comments (15)
I have half dozen Yellow Grove bamboo plants available. Most of them n 1-gallon or 2-gallon containers. If interested, send me a email at liupaul@gmail.com I planted Yellow Grove bamboo in Naperville/Warrenville area (i.e. 5 to 10 degrees colder than the lakefront area) since early '90s. Their shoot come up each spring, and their branches died after hard frosts, just like other perennials. Unlike Southern states, running-root concerns are lesser of an issue in northern Illinois, as winter hibernation pretty much scale back its growth. Planting them in a sunroom can turn a single-gallon plant into a bamboo jungle in five years, assuming you multiply them each spring around early April. An expert advise, leaving potted bamboo plants outdoor will not survive the Chicago winter, even a mild one. Paul L. Naperville IL
...See More
Winter-hardy LOUISIANNA pond irises that are least invasive???
Q
Comments (13)
I have a bog of Louisiana irises that I clear out every three or four years. While in bloom, I dig what I want to save. I pot them and put them in wading pools. With what is left over, if nobody offers to dig them, I spray the remaining ones with Roundup. I have to spray several times because little shoots start up. I spray those little increases. By late August, 99% are dead and the bog is dry enough to till. I run my John Deere through the bog several times and grind up what is left of the rhizomes. Usually, I wait until November to unpot the ones I saved. No LA I have ever grown has been invasive in the sense of pseudacorus. BLACK GAMECOCK increases too quickly here and I no longer have it. FLARE-OUT is another that increases too quickly. Clumps get massive but they do not travel. James Faith, a newer one, is quite a grower, too, but nothing like BG. Then, there are some that don't grow, like the imports. Sometimes I don't always deadhead everything and a chance seedling will show up. This year, one stood head and shoulders above all of the others. It looked like a gigantic Dutch iris. It had rather narrow parts but the standards stood up like a TB's during the entire time the flower was in bloom. I saved it to enjoy. My all time favorite LA is an older one called Mac's Blue Heaven. Walter Moores
...See More
Non-conifer evergreen plants
Q
Comments (18)
Mad gallica and Bill, the last time I tested my soil was about 10 years ago and it was 6.0 at that time. I've already decided to do another soil test this year. We'll see if that has anything to do with it. Our neighbor across the street has a great Rhododendron in front of his house that is huge and blooms wonderfully, and he does absolutely nothing to that shrub. So, I'm not sure what the difference is. I have neighbors with five mature Silver Maples within 5 to 15 feet of my lot line on two sides and another neighbor with a London Plane, a White Pine and 7 Spruce trees within 5 to 10 feet of my lot line on another side. And I have a small 1/4 acre lot. We make our own compost and add it every year and spread a lot of bark mulch too, save neighbors leaves with our own and chop them up and mulch with those, use the sprinklers in dry spells. I just think the surrounding trees are sucking the moisture and the nutrients out of the soil. But, maybe the PH could be part of it. The azaleas that I've had the longest have grown and bloom every year and are in the front. My kids gave me 'Girard's Fuchsia' azaleas and a 'Nova Zembla' Rhody for Mother's day the last few years and I planted those in the back in the dripline of the Maples. They did bloom the first year, but they are looking like the leaves are sparse and not as vigorous. The Rhody lost foliage and has a number of bare stems. It has new growth around the base, though. They're just not thriving the way they should. Thanks for mentioning the PH....good idea.
...See More
daniellalell
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL Dweeb!!
Thank you BBoy!
Daniella
nucci60
16 years ago
Fargesis are beautiful, but are not tall growers in northern climates.My "scabrida" and "robusta" turn all yellow at 0.F, my fargesia rufa stays green but will probably top at 6 ft. in zone 6.
Embothrium
16 years ago
12' is not tall for a bamboo. The 3 species you have listed are not the entire genus.
daniellalell
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you Nucci.

BBoy,
I dont want anything taller than 12'. I still need sun in my yard, lol. I just want to know, from others experiences which Fargesia would be best for my situation. I need a privacy screen, but not over 12'. These will run along a 6' stockade fence, which I just want taller. Also dont want something bushy..just 10-12' tall..would be nice to stay green all winter, but if it browns and I need to trim down in spring for new growth thats fine, as long as it will grown back up to 10-12' quickly.
What do you suggest?
Thank You,
Daniella
nucci60
16 years ago
I also have pseudosasa japonica (arrow bamboo) which will get to be 12 feet in our zone, but it is a runner which people claim to be easily controlled. long, almost palm like leaves, very nice. Mine is young and turned yellow at about 0. f.Came back strong this spring.My fargesias came from a great ebay seller(philin shelton) from washington state.Thet grow better in zone 8 than zone 6.MOST tall growing bamboos in our zone are runners.Tere are people much more informed about bamboo that maybe can help you more.I really love bamboo, and bananas.
tnangela
16 years ago
I agree with the Japanese Arrow Bamboo suggestion from above. It is used much for screening around here. It's slightly invasive but not as bad as some others.
tropicallvr
16 years ago
You are zone hadicapped. Don't be afraid of runners when the bamboo bug gets ya.
firemountain
16 years ago
I am up here in northern NJ and just planted 16 Fargesia Scabrida plants (2 gallon pot size) that I bought from the bamboo garden. I spaced them approx. 4-5 ft. apart to achieve a nice screen in a shorter amount of time. While the height in our area is still unknown, I am figuring that they should grow to 10-14 ft.

I am a newbie to growing bamboo, but am looking to learn as much as possible. I will let you know how I make out as the summer progresses. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a shout and ask

Non-Invasive Hardy Bamboo for 6b?

Comments (10)

technodweeb

Embothrium

Related Discussions

daniellalell
Original Author

nucci60

Embothrium

daniellalell
Original Author

nucci60

tnangela

tropicallvr

firemountain

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Non-Invasive Hardy Bamboo for 6b?

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

daniellalellOriginal Author

daniellalellOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

daniellalell
Original Author

daniellalell
Original Author