Bamboe hagen bamboekwekerij Kimmei Valkenswaard

Bamboo hedges. The best species

Bamboo as a hedge.
Suppose, your neighbor has built a new garage with a yellow wall that is 3 meters high and you choose to cover it with bamboo because you don’t want to see it all year round . In such a situation it is best to choose types from the non-invasive Fargesia. But when the neighbor also builds on the roof of the same garage a huge balcony where his family regularly have parties you only can choose for the bigger running bamboo. There are several species of Phyllostachys, Semiarundinaria and Pseudosasa you can use for this purpose. These bamboos can become quickly 5 meters or higher and they are densely leafy. Such a planting will ensure you that you don’t have to see the garage in summer and winter. (translation of the rest will follow)tion of the rest will follow)

Practice
There are many reasons to use bamboo in a garden. Bamboo is green in winter, rustles in the wind, provides privacy and an exotic “faraway lands” atmosphere. The impulsive step to purchase bamboo is quickly made. And before you know it, you or your gardener have created a bamboo hedge. Only then do the questions arise: What type of bamboo do I have and does it fit in my garden, why does it grow like that and what maintenance do I need to do? Actually, these questions should be asked before you begin.
Your plans with bamboo hedges have a better chance of success if you seek advice and guidance from our expert team.
Important: We have removed almost all varieties of the species Fargesia murieliae such as 'Bimbo', 'Jumbo', Superjumbo' and 'Simba' from our recommendation list, despite their impressive names. These species usually disappoint due to their sensitivity and susceptibility to diseases.
We also advise against Phyllostachys aurea (due to its sensitivity to frost) and Phyllostachys nigra (the black bamboo that has currently started its flowering period in many places).

You can choose between two types of bamboo: non-invasive types (between 1 and 4 (5) meters+ high) and the taller invasive types (between 4 and 8+ meters high) that can spread underground and require means that prevent this.

Hedges of non-invasive bamboos.
The non-invasive bamboos all belong to the Fargesia genus. The varieties we propose are good to very hardy, attractive and easy to use. Fargesias can never grow long underground roots and are therefore not a threat to liner ponds, paving or neighbors. New stems always emerge from the ground close to the original plant so that the expansion remains clear and without surprises. (see also picture above) These bamboos form dense clumps with usually smaller leaves and grow up to over 4 (5) meters high. In smaller gardens with little space, the compactly growing Fargesias can be used easily and effectively as an evergreen screen. Most varieties do well in the sun and others prefer partial shade.
Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' (see: young hedge above), Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 and Fargesia 'Rufa' are the most important species for our climate. These 3 species have already proven themselves and are therefore widely represented at the nursery and can be seen as mature examples in the show garden. Two very good new species Fargesia nitida x murieliae 'Obelisk' and 'Schensbossen' have been added. They are good for the climates with cold winters like the middle of Sweden.
With the bamboos mentioned you can make solid evergreen hedges from 1 to 4 (5) meters high. These species can also easily be kept lower by pruning.

Fargesia robusta 'Campbell'

Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' is the most important Fargesia species for creating a compact higher hedge that can grow up to 4 (5) meters high. This type with small glossy leaves is the first Fargesia robusta to be imported into Europe. And only this variety of the now form-rich group Fargesia robusta survived the late winter of March 2005 with -21 C in the northern Netherlands and Germany.
This is also the most compact and most upright growing form. About 30 years ago, Fargesia robusta flowered in China. If we assume that this information is true and that this bamboo comes from that flowering period, then Fargesia robusta “Campbell” is one of the species for which no new flowering period is expected for the time being.

(photo left) The upright silhouette, the small glossy leaves, the relatively thick culms and the beautiful white culmsheats on the new shoots make Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' the best choice when looking for a hedge up to 4 (5) meters high may be. This species grows well in a sunny growing location.
(photo right) Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' can also be pruned into a tight hedge, but the growth pattern must be taken into account. When the hedge has been pruned back to, for example, 2.5 meters, the new shoots will grow through it again during the growing season and these can again be a meter higher than the hedge. These must be pruned back to the desired height of 2.5 meters so that the original shape is restored.

The leaves of Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' do not roll on themselves in frost, drought and sun.

Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 (syn: Fargesia sp. Jiu)

Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 (syn: Fargesia sp. Jiu) Many people want a bamboo that grows 2 to 3 meters high, has fine leaves and grows compactly and upright. Therefore, Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 is the first choice in places with less space. With the help of pruning and demarcation, this bamboo can even maintain a width of less than 1 meter, but a large meter is better. Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 tolerates the sun if the soil is humus-rich and not dry.
The culms of this bamboo can develop a red haze in the spring sun and sometimes turn red. Over the course of the summer, this color changes to more orange-yellow and in late summer new deep green culms form between them. These new culms hardly get branches in the first year. This very hardy bamboo can roll up its leaves into needles during severe frost in winter and early spring, making them more transparent. These will roll out again in humid weather. During the course of April, numerous fresh new leaves will form and a dense hedge will be there again.

The often used name 'red bamboo' (photo left) sometimes causes misunderstandings, because Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 does not always have this color all year round.
Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 (photo right: Kasteeltuinen Arcen) can also be pruned into a tight hedge, but the growth pattern must be taken into account. If the hedge has been pruned back to, for example, 2 meters, the new shoots will grow through it again during the growing season and these can again be a meter higher than the hedge. These must then be pruned back to the desired height of 2 meters so that the original shape is restored.
Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 'Deep Purle' is similar, equally suitable as a hedge bamboo, has almost black culms in spring and summer and hardly rolls the leaves in winter.

Fargesia ‘Rufa’

Fargesia 'Rufa' is a lush growing bamboo with bright green, shiny leaves and graceful, somewhat sagging branches. This species was imported from China by the nursery in 1995 and has since made a worldwide career. The growth height is between 2 and 2.5 meters. Fargesia 'Rufa' is one of the hardiest and best evergreen species. This bamboo tolerates sun and shade well and quickly grows into a wider hedge. Without pruning, take into account a plant width of 1.5 to 2 meters. 'Rufa' is suitable for group planting in public green areas, but is also beautiful as a solitary plant. It is also the best bamboo species to create a screen in larger tubs or containers on a balcony. The leaves do not roll up, so this bamboo remains beautiful and green even in winter.

Fargesia 'Rufa' can also be pruned into a tight hedge, but the growth pattern must be taken into account. When the hedge has been pruned back to, for example, 1 meter, the new shoots will grow through it again during the growing season and these can again be a meter higher than the hedge. These must be pruned back to the desired height of, for example, 1 meter so that the original shape is restored.

Fargesia nitida x murieliae 'Obelisk'

Fargesia nitida x murieliae 'Obelisk' Photo above: This young hedge can already be about 3 meters+ high after one year growing. 'Obelisk' is a new selection with strong, closely spaced, fairly upright growing culms. This hybrid has everything to grow into a strong hedge. Fast growing and hardly susceptible to mealybugs.
New shoots branch out in the first year of growth. Height up to 4 (5) meters. This species can easily tolerate severe frost, open locations and full sun. A humus-rich and no dry soil is needed.

The color of the narrow leaves of 'Obelisk' (photo above) is fresh green. This species is certainly hardy to -25°C. Flowering is also not expected for the first 100 years. And also growing well in the middle of Sweden

Fargesia nitida x murieliae 'Schensbossen'

Fargesia nitida x murieliae 'Schensbossen' (photo above and below) Together with 'Obelisk, this hybrid is one of the most vigorously growing new selections I know. The difference: In 'Schensbossen' the light green leaves are a bit wider and the culms are a bit further apart. (Compare the 2 photos above) This hybrid is also hardly susceptible to mealybugs. This seedling was found in Schensbossen at the beginning of this century by the collector Herman de Swert. No flowering is expected for the next 100 years. This variety grows fairly upright. The bracts of the new culms detach easily, revealing the gray-blue color. The final height is between 4 and 5 meters. Winter hardy to at least -25°C..

'Obelisk' and 'Schensbossen' are hybrids and were created by crossing 2 different species (Fargesia nitida and murieliae). They carry the best qualities of these two. They are both new 'hedge bamboos' for strong , sturdy and higher hedges. With some correction pruning the hedge can also be kept in shape. Take into account a minimum hedge width of 1 meter and humus-rich soil. In November, part of the leaves turn yellow and fall off, but the remaining leaf care for a green bamboo in winter. During severe frost, the leaves can temporarily roll up.

Hedges of taller bamboos.
For higher hedges we recommend the most winter-hardy, fast-growing and upright varieties of Phyllostachys. In more sheltered locations Semiarundinaria and Pseudosasa are good choices. Depending on the species, a height of 5 to 8 and sometimes 10 meters can be reached. This size bamboo produces underground rhizomes and therefore the use of a root barrier is recommended. (see: "Planting tips") There must be always a minimum hedge width of 1 meter. But when the maximum height of the species has to be reached, more width is needed. A sunny or slightly shaded, humus-rich location is best for the Phyllostachys species. Semiarundinaria also tolerates partial shade well and Pseudosasa still grows in deep shade.

Phyllostachys nigra, also called black bamboo, is not a very good hedge bamboo due to its sagging growth habit, limited winter hardiness and less attractive winter leaves. This species has started to flower in many places, so we no longer sell it.

Phyllostachys aureosulcata

Phyllostachys aureosulcata is one of the best and most hardy species for creating a higher hedge. The upright, olive green culms feel somewhat rough and have a yellow stripe on the flat side of the culms. Some stems have a noticeable bend at the base. Without too much thinning, this bamboo forms opaque bushes with leaves all the way down. If this bamboo is placed in front of a wall or fence and the plant only needs to be shielded from view above, the beautiful, green stems can be released below by thinning and pruning. This species can grow to a height of 5 to 8 meters and is winter hardy to -23°C. Phyllostachys aureosulcata is a species that can be used without much risk in open locations as a barrier or solitary as a bamboo forest. This fast-growing bamboo has everything it takes to bring an exotic atmosphere to the garden. Even with a little bit of wind, the supple stems are in motion and there is the sound of distant places.

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis'

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' is the variant whose young culms are sulfur yellow and change to ocher yellow as they age. This yellow forms a beautiful color contrast with the deep green bamboo foliage and with the other plants in the garden. In the summer sun the culms may develop a reddish haze, but this discoloration disappears again. The first leaves that form in spring have white and cream stripes. The pruning determines the density. With little thinning, this bamboo forms opaque bushes with leaves all the way down. By properly thinning and pruning the plant, the beautiful culms are released. Compare the photo of Phyllostachys aurosulcata 'Aureocaulis' with little pruning (top photo) and the photo on the right. With a height between 5 and 6 meters, this variety usually grows slightly lower than the other Phyllostachys aureosulcata types, but otherwise the growth characteristics and winter hardiness (up to minus 23 degrees) are the same. Flowering branches have sometimes been found in Phyllostachys aureosulcata and the varieties 'Aureocaulis' and 'Spectabilis' for a long time. This type of flowering (sporadic flowering) is not the beginning of total flowering!

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis'

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' has yellow culms with alternating green stripes on the flat side of the culm. The yellow color is slightly less intensive than the 'Aureocaulis' variety, but the stripe pattern on the culms has a playful effect and that gives this variety its own unique character. The first new leaves in spring have white and cream stripes. With little thinning, this bamboo also forms compact bushes with leaves reaching down. By thinning and pruning, the beautiful striped culms become more free-standing and, if desired, a more transparent separation is obtained. (see photo) Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' grows vigorously and can quickly reach a height of between 5 and 8 meters.

Phyllostachys bissetii

Phyllostachys bissetii has deep green culms. In the sun they can turn yellow-green. The foliage is lush and the dark green glossy leaves are somewhat arched. This bamboo is very hardy and therefore a better choice than the frost-sensitive Phyllostachys aurea. (the type that unfortunately many gardeners and landscape architects too often choose). The height is between 5 and 7 meters. Because the culms are close together, this species is very suitable as a compact, dense hedge. The old and ugly stems should be pruned away every two or three years. Due to the denser culm structure, Phyllostachys bissetii is less suitable for freeing the culms by pruning and heavy thinning.

Pseudosasa japonica

Pseudosasa japonica is the best-known large-leaved higher species with closely spaced, stiff, upright culms and gracefully tapering leaves. The height is between 3 and 5 meters. This bamboo is fairly hardy but can freeze back in severe winters. Recovery is usually quick. In sheltered places in sun and shade, this is a good bamboo for dense hedges. This species survived a flowering period in the 1980s and will therefore be safe to bloom for years to come. Winter hardy from 18 to -20°C

Semiarundinaria viridis

Semiarundinaria viridis is a bamboo with stiff, upright deep green culms, short side branches and dense dark green foliage. The growth silhouette is columnar and the culms are close together. This species spreads little but can sometimes produce large rhizomes and therefore a root barrier is necessary.
Height: (4 to 6 meters +) Winter hardy to -20°C For sun to partial shade.