Try bamboo for a natural screen wall

As a horticulturist, bamboo is probably the subject that I receive the most calls and questions about (banana care might be second). So, I figured it might be time to revisit the very first column that I wrote for The State four years ago. Here goes:

Often, bamboo gets a bad rap among gardeners. We tend to think of bamboo as a plant that runs wild, taking over everything in its path. But not all bamboos are created equal.

There are two categories of bamboo, clumping and running. Running bamboo spreads and is often difficult to eradicate. Clumping bamboo is tidier and doesn't invade your neighbor's yard. Clumping bamboo does increase in width, but does so by slowly radiating out from the center. There's little threat of seeing it pop up 10 feet from where you planted it.

One of my favorite varieties of clumping bamboo is Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonso-Karrii' (formerly known as 'Alphonse Karr'). 'Alphonso-Karrii' bamboo will reach 15-20 feet high over time and widens slowly. The most striking feature of this particular variety is the striped culms (canes). When mature, the golden yellow culms can have a diameter of 1 1/2 inches and are highlighted by vertical green stripes of varying size. This is an excellent plant to use for screening walls, fences or property lines. The mature culms are also great to use for various outdoor projects such as trellises and fencing.

In the beginning, growing bamboo requires patience. Bamboo takes a few years to get settled in and really start growing rapidly. This old adage about bamboo applies: the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps and the third year it leaps.

Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonso-Karrii' is relatively care-free. I recommend planting bamboo in the spring to give the plant a full season to grow and get its roots settled in before winter arrives.

Give the plant plenty of water the first year while it gets established. The leaves will curl on hot sunny days to prevent water loss even if there is adequate soil moisture. If the soil is dry, a good soaking will take care of the leaf curl and the plant will be as good as new. Don't let it dry out too long, or some of the canes may start to die off.

Fertilize with composted manure or a fertilizer high in nitrogen in the spring, and you should be good for the year.

Bamboo naturally drops some of its leaves. It's best to let the leaves lie within the clump of bamboo because they are filled with silica which is released as the leaves rot. Silica is necessary to ensure optimum bamboo growth.

Bamboo is easy to find in mail order catalogs. However, plants are often in small containers and shipping costs will put some stress on the wallet. Some of our local nurseries carry bamboo, so I suggest visiting them to see what is available. If they don't have it available, be sure to ask if they can order it.

In addition to 'Alphonso-Karrii', there are several other varieties of Bambusa multiplex which are great for the landscape. The multiplex varieties 'Silverstripe' and 'Fernleaf' are also worth growing in the garden

If you need to screen your yard from the neighbors or simply need a great looking ornamental plant to showcase in the garden, Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonso-Karrii' might just be the way to go.

This story was originally published February 4, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Try bamboo for a natural screen wall."