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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Bamboo

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Bamboo grows very quickly, with some varieties growing 10 feet a year. This rapid growth makes bamboo an excellent choice when you want a natural fence and you want it quickly. Bamboo can be tricky, however, and you need to be careful what bamboo variety you plant and how. There are many invasive species of bamboo that are best avoided. Running bamboo varieties, too, can cause problems and are likely to end up in places you and your neighbors won't appreciate.
Choose Your Type

The first step to a bamboo fence is choosing what type of bamboo you'll be planting. Bamboo plants are categorized as clumping or running. As the name suggests, clumping bamboo grows in thick patches, or clumps, forming a dense and bushy barrier. A clump is usually three to 10 feet around, depending on the bamboo variety. Clumping bamboo stays where you plant it, so you'll need more plants to create a barrier fence. Running bamboo quickly spreads itself, allowing you to grow a fence using fewer plants. Be aware, however, that running bamboo spreads itself indiscriminately. You'll need to take some extra steps during plating to keep it contained. If you don't, you and your neighbors will be battling unwanted shoots forever.
Choose a Variety
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Once you've decided on a clumping or running bamboo, take a trip to your local garden center to choose your plants. Bamboo grows naturally on every continent except Antarctica, so you'll have no trouble finding a variety that grows in your climate. If you live in a colder area, consider cold hardy species like red margin ( Phyllostachys rubromarginata) and macon rivercane ( Arundinaria gigantea 'Macon' ). Macon rivercane is also excellent for poorly drained soils, where most bamboos don't do well. Most bamboo prefers at least five hours of sun a day, but umbrella bamboo (Fargesia murielae) is an excellent choice for shady areas. Your local garden center is the best source of information about what types of bamboo will thrive in your area.
Plant Your Bamboo

Unless you've picked a variety that likes wet feet, plant your bamboo in moist, loamy soil. To plant your bamboo, dig a hole that is 1.5 to 2 times the size of

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