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File description: Bamboo Plants Your name: (optional) Cath
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> I know of this bamboo... this may be a great idea!
Seen it all over the area. It likes this climate.
> Good... good... tell me, our driveway runs
> adjacent to the strip where the bamboo would
> grow. Would the Bamboo runners get under the
> concrete driveway and force up the concrete like
> tree roots or would it pretty much stop right
> there?
Depending on the type of bamboo and soil conditions, a runner type like this
should have a barrier anywhere from 22 to 36 inches deep and best is
polypropelene 30-60 mils thick. If your concrete driveway was done correctly,
poured on a bed of large rough stone and smaller gravel, a minimum of 6"
thick, most bamboos won't harm it and it would definitely be a barrier.
I have 2 very well behaved clumping types of bamboo that need little or no
barrier, but the taller evergreen runner one thats around here needs a decent
barrier. You can buy poly. barrier specifically for this purpose (a little
expensive at about $2.50 a ft) but I tested a cheaper alternative that has
worked. I just happened to have a couple of rolls of the thick, 3 ft wide
pebbled roofing stuff, covered it with 6 mil plastic and used that as a
barrier. (Never throw anything away as long as you got room!)
With your driveway, you may only need to do a short section where you want
the planting to end, but keep in mind that regular mowing can keep many
runner types under control without any barrier. There is a bunch of good info
on all this stuff at: http://www.bamboosourcery.com/ and also they have some
really interesting looking bamboos if you want something really dramatic. (I
love the kind with the pure black canes.) Stay away from the ones that grow
50-60 ft tall and your driveway should be fine! I have bought my variegated
clumpers from these folks and they are very good to deal with and helpful.
For the free, voracious, stuff, you may know someone close to you who has a
large planting of it and are happy to share. Near me, there is a horse farm
with a very large grove in the woods where I got mine that I planted at my
old house. The grove is still there, though I think different people are
leasing the farm now (haven't been there in a few years) and I can easily ask
them if they would mind me digging up some if you are interested. Just gotta
watch for poison ivy as I recall.
A little digging and patience and let the fun begin!
cath