I know Bamboo is a dirty word for most people, but it really suits our purposes.I want to put in a privacy hedge, one that is quite bushy and you can't see through, grows straight up (so not to lean over into neighbours), doesn't drop leaves, grows to around 3 metres (so is that like dwarf bamboo!) and is very fast growing.
We are not gardeners, so needs to be low maintenance too.
Can any of you very knowledgable horticultural people, suggest the name of a plant that they think would suit our purposes!
Thanks you for all and any help.
spiritofgonzo,
Feb 15, 2:03am
I will have a think and get back to you, but be aware that nothing grows 'very quickly' to 3m and then stops at optimum height.If it grows very quickly it will keep growing and will need to be regularly pruned.'very quickly' means pruning at least twice, or anything up to 5 times a year.
desi1969,
Feb 15, 3:25am
Thanks spiritofgonzo, love to hear more.
pandaeye,
Feb 15, 10:32am
phebalium.
astroflight1,
Feb 15, 9:01pm
I will tell you something else about bamboo.It is a perfectly MAGIC survival plant, not for eating but drinking. Bamboo will always find water.Should the worse happen and services are cut off, your bamboo will give you all the water you need.Take a cane and bend it in an arch.Cut the tip off it.You will have to anchor it with string, wire or rope to stop it pinging back up again.Have the tip in the neck of a bottle.Drip, drip, drip! It will provide you with pure filtered water.Bamboo is one of natures best water filters.Even if there are toxins in the ground, burst sewerage pipes near it, it does not matter.The water it gives you is better than the crap in your tap right now.Look after your bamboo once it is in the ground, and one day it may look after you.
kaeloch,
Feb 16, 3:44am
I know there is a type of bamboo which does not spread - friends have it but I don't know the name of it
zak410,
Feb 16, 4:07am
bamboo with alternate 'grooves' between the nods are the spreading sort. bamboo with round smooth stems stay in clumps and don't send runners; they are less invasive but, with time the clumps still get bigger.
great trick, astroflight1 !
desi1969,
Feb 18, 8:57am
Thanks for the comments all : ) Happy to hear more advise if anyone wants to share.
lythande1,
Feb 18, 6:24pm
You cannot have a fast growing low maintenance plant. You think it stops when it's at your desired bushiness/height! No. Hedges require ongoing maintenance, fast growing is awful close to a weed, and bamboo is a weed.
lambrat,
Feb 18, 8:09pm
i have a patch of the spreading kind that moved in from the neighbour, and there certainly are plenty of dropped leaves, which don't compost. it had terrible hard roots that are very hard to get out, you have to get out every little bit to knock it off. . and if they're anywhere near,it will find your drainpipes eventually. i have now resorted to buying a bag of salt every week in an effort to kill it off, and know nothing will ever grow there again.
enpointe,
Feb 18, 8:55pm
Pittosporums
stevee6,
Feb 18, 8:58pm
Agree - they would be your best bet and as long as you are careful in your choice, you should be able to find a variety that doesn't get much taller than 3m. Research first.
astroflight1,
Feb 18, 9:52pm
You are very welcome. I have a copy of the official US ARMY SURVIVAL MANUAL. That is where i got it from.I have bamboo now.Should an earthquake like Chch happen here, I will have fresh drinking water.
desi1969,
Mar 14, 9:02am
You will see I have asked for recommendations similar to Bamboo, would love to hear your suggestion.
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