31-07-2025
It might seem like the ideal privacy hedge but gardener warns bamboo will crack your patio & crush pipes
ADDING some extra privacy to your garden has been at the top of loads of homeowner's do-to lists this summer.
But while opting for a bamboo fence can have loads of benefits, there are certain issues people often forget about.
2
2
That's why plant expert Harry Bodell at has revealed how you can stop bamboo from taking over your garden while still reaping all the benefits it has to offer.
Thanks to how fast it grows, bamboo is a popular choice in replacements of fencing.
But what started out as a quick alternative to a privacy fence can quickly get out of hand and crack paving stones, crush pipes and more.
Different types of bamboo can have different types of stems and roots, which can all cause damage.
In fact, it's not just your home bamboo can damage, during growing season it can block out light from other plants and even strangle them.
That doesn't mean you need to steer clear of bamboo altogether though, according to Harry there a few easy ways to control it.
He reccomended looking for a 'clumping' variety of bamboo, since they're stems wont cause issues to pavements and pipes.
"They are a much safer option for home gardens than their running counterparts," he told
But if you do opt for running bamboo, the pro suggesting installing root guards to keep everything in place.
"You can purchase thick sheets made of strong plastic or metal, which should be buried around two to three feet deep into the ground.
6 Reasons Bamboo May Not Be Ideal for Your British Garden
"If you make sure that the ends overlap well and are sealed tightly, these sheets should form an effective barrier to stop rhizomes from finding a way to spread further into your garden and the rest of your property," he explained.
And if you already have bamboo in your garden that's getting out of control, there's no time to waste when it comes to controlling it.
One simple way you can do this is by digging a trench around the area twice a year and then cut down rhizomes that cross it.
You could also cut down new shoots as soon as the spring up in any undesired spots.
But be warned, getting rid of bamboo altogether can be a challenge as it's more pervasive than even Japanese Knotweed.
HOW TO SPOT A JAPANESE KNOTWEED
HOW to spot Japanese Knotweed and what to do if you find it.
GARDENING expert, Kendal Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said: "Japanese knotweed shoots look similar to bamboo shoots growing 2- 3metres tall".
They are hollow and coloured red in the Spring and turn green in the summer.
Their leaves which appear in Spring are shield or heart-shaped with a pointed tip and grow at staggered intervals along the length of the shoots.
They can grow up to 20cm long and die back in winter leaving just the brown dead looking canes above ground.
The flowers appear in late summer as bunches of creamy white flowers growing in amongst the leaves.
It spreads through its rhizomes (underground root system) which are dark brown on the outside and orange on the inside.
They can burrow up to 3 metres under ground causing damage to buildings and break easily, so can be hard to remove completely.
If you find it in your garden it's important to call in a specialist Japanese Knotweed removal company.
They use a glyphosate based herbicide which when injected into the plant at the right time of year can kill it.
It may take a few years of repeated application to eradicate the plant completely from your property which is why many removal companies recommend a glyphosate treatment programme over a number of years.
