The Nature of Bamboo

Bamboo, exotic and beautiful, is a popular choice for those that want something special for their home or business. Bamboo is a large grass, quick growing compared to other plants.   Each spring new culms (the noded stems) emerge from the ground taller and wider than the year before (up to the maximum for that particular species).  The allotted space is quickly filled with a lush, dense hedge or grove.  New shoots can grow as fast as a foot or more a day!  Bamboo spreads by way of rhizomes underground, either in a lateral extending fashion (running bamboo) or in a circular pattern that widens a little bit every year (clumping bamboo).  There are countless types of bamboo with a wide array of aesthetic properties, including color, form and size.

This book gives practical selection and planting instructions and would be a great help in planning a bamboo installation.
Bambusa Buddhas Belly 10 year old clump

Running vs. Clumping Bamboo

Unfortunately the classification running and clumping is deceiving.  All bamboo spreads.  Running bamboo sends rhizomes wandering around, and they may put up shoots anyplace they go.  They must be contained.  Clumping bamboo puts out rhizomes as well, but depending on the species a fixed distance away from the original plant.  The root ball is solid like a tree and for most large clumping bamboo, the diameter of the root ball increases between one and two feet per year.  This growth is relentless, and will break through barriers and is very hard to manage.  After ten years, a 25 gallon Bambusa may well be 20 feet in diameter at the base, and spread to over 60 feet at the crown. (see picture).  The center will be dead canes and thatch, and be impossible to get near without a chain saw.

The other big difference between running and clumping is the form.  Most runners are upright, and remain manageable within the contained space in which they grow.   Clumpers naturally lean out from the center forming a wonderful area of shade, although some lean over all the way to the ground.   It is like the difference between a live oak tree and redwood. You can see this difference makes it very hard to keep a privacy hedge looking good with a clumping bamboo, but it can be done.   Essentially all the hedges pictured on our web site use running bamboo.   On the other hand, as a specimen, clumping bamboo is amazing.

Privacy and Decorative Hedges

Bamboo is used as a privacy hedge solution the world over, and is skyrocketing in popularity in the U.S.  The advantages of bamboo are obvious -- with mature plants installed (a process that can often be completed in a single day), a privacy screen is immediate, green year around and with proper care will only grow more effective with time.  Each new generation of shoots will fill in the space available for them, making the privacy hedge ever more dense.  It can become thick enough that not only will it provide a visual barrier, but to some degree an auditory, and physical one as well.  Nothing else provides such a tall complete screen instantly.  Most zoning restrictions limit fence heights to 5' or 6'.  No such limitations apply to a bamboo hedge.  (See Privacy Hedge Details)

Planter Box Hedge

While an in-ground installation with rhizome barrier is the go-to for many seeking a privacy screen, we also recommend planter boxes.  This can be an attractive solution for a safe above ground installation, whether one simply wants an extra layer of security with their bamboo, or their particular situation (paved/cement surface for instance) calls for it.  A planter box also provides an immediate boost in height for hedges.   We can build custom boxes for every situation.

Gardens

Bamboo adds an exotic touch to gardens around pools, hot tubs, and decks.  With almost 50 varieties available, just the right color, shape and texture can be found for the perfect effect.  Our skilled staff can help you get just the effect you want, without fear of bamboo taking over.  Besides just decorative plantings, many customers choose to plant an entire grove creating an extremely unique showpiece.  They walk our groves and mark out a section, to be transplanted complete to their yard.

Pots and Indoor Planting

From large office atriums to small house plants, bamboo is flexible in meeting the needs of interior design.  Planting bamboo in pots or containers outside solves the problem of spreading, and gives great flexibility in reorganizing your yard for events.  With our specially formulated bamboo soil and fertilizer, bamboo will remain alive and healthy in pots for years.

Bamboo Economics

Bamboo economics are not intuitive. Normally we think of plants that grow only up, but bamboo grows fastest horizontally, rather than vertically.  It is the spreading nature of bamboo that makes it so attractive.

Unusual Growth Pattern

Once a bamboo shoot reaches full height and produces leaves, it never gets any taller or larger in diameter. Its growth is complete. So how fast does bamboo grow? It doesn't grow at all!  But each year the new shoots are larger and cover a greater area.

Source VERY Important

All container bamboo plants are not equal. The growth rate of a field dug plant is much faster than the same size plant which was nursery propagated. Nursery stock is immature bamboo shoots from immature rhizome. It may take many years until you see mature shoots. Field dug plants are small shoots from mature rhizome. As the rhizome spreads out, full size shoots are possible much sooner. Do not be fooled by lower priced mail order stock!

Size Economy Unexpected

  • The economics of large vs. small plants are very much leaning toward large plants.
  • Small plants will never grow larger and they produce small shoots the next years.
  • Large plants already look good and will produce larger shoots in the following years.
  • A small plant can be dinner for a gopher in just one day. Gophers can slow the spreading of large plants but not kill them.
  • Large plants rapidly spread, even in marginal conditions.  Small plants die if conditions are harsh.
  • For the same dollars spent, privacy is created with large plants in about 1/3 the time as small plants.
15 gallon - 5 gallon - 1 gallon

15 gallon - 4 to 10 feet
- 1/4 to 1/2" diameter
- $225.

5 gallon - 2 to 6 feet
- less than 1/4" diameter
- $90.

1 gallon - 1 to 3 feet
- small diameter
- $45.

All bamboo is sold by the pot size. Any variety of bamboo may be selected for one price.  All our rare and collectible bamboo is sold at everyday prices.  The basic price is our retail price for ball and burlaped plants as well, for either shipment or pickup. Some potted plants at the nursery may be priced higher, depending on the size, density and presentation of the plant.

25 Gallon Containers

8 to 30 feet
- 3/4 to 3" diameter
- $525

Deliveries - We deliver anywhere on the West Coast. Please call for a quote.

Shipping - We ship 1, 5 and 15-gallon plants, growing supplies and barrier anywhere in the US.

Plant Warranty - Plants picked up or delivered from BGN are guaranteed to be healthy when received. Bamboo Giant is not responsible for losses after planting. Bamboo installed by BGN is under warranty for twelve months after planting.

Installed Plant Warranty - This warranty is designed to provide protection to the buyer of the significant investment made in a bamboo hedge or planting. This warranty only applies to plants installed by BGN. Any plants covered by warranty specifically identify the warranty and term on the invoice. BGN makes no verbal or implied warranties beyond this statement.

Term: 12 months from date of installation. Ask us about our extended warranty.

Replacement Plants: Bamboo Giant will at their discretion, replace or refund the plant cost (as defined by our standard published prices) any plant that is dead at the end of the warranty term. As bamboo often drops its leaves and then re-leaves after planting this is not a covered event. Only a completely dead plant will be covered. Depending on the time of year, should BGN feel that a plant is not dead and will recover; BGN may wait and see, even if the warranty period ends. Should the plant end up dead, BGN will honor the warranty even if the warranty period has expired. There is no warranty offered on replacement plants unless the extended warranty has been purchased. In the unlikely case of bamboo going to seed, when it has completely died, if under the extended warranty, BGN will replant the hedge at 50% of the plant costs, as nobody can predict when this unlikely event might occur. BGN will also repair, replace or refund at our discretion any barrier that fails during the 12-month warranty.

Exceptions: Any plant that has died resulting from lack of water, flooding, pests or abuse will not be warranted. Species selection contrary to BGN recommendations will also void warranty if noted on the invoice. Complete warranty terms available upon request.

Specific Rhizome Barrier Issues: We are all concerned about containment of bamboo. Bamboo Giant's approach conforms to the best industry standard known at the time of an installation. We have a high level of confidence in our system but bamboo is a tricky thing and a failure may occur at some point. Most failures we have seen are due to a lack of maintenance of the top edge of the barrier. Debris and litter accumulate and cover the top of the barrier and the bamboo jumps over. We have changed our material several times over the years and a material failure is possible. BGN will not be responsible for damages relating to any barrier failure at any point beyond the warranty period.

Lapse of Extended Warranty - If the warranty is allowed to lapse, BGN will allow the missing years to be purchased, at the current price per foot, to restore that warranty.