Create a Privacy Screen with Bamboo

Bamboo is a good choice for perimeter screening, especially for small yards. Learn more in this LandscapingNetwork.com video:

Regular shrubbery can be used for privacy screening, but it is not always exciting to look at, and you may want to add more visually interesting plants in front. In contrast, if you have at least a four-foot width for planting, bamboo provides both a visual barrier and visual interest.

If you choose bamboo for privacy screening, be careful what variety you use. There are two main categories: running and clumping.

Running bamboo requires root control such as concrete walls as it has long horizontal roots that can spread rapidly.

Clumping bamboo has shorter roots and grows in clumps. Bambusa multiplex subtypes include Alphonse Karr, Golden Goddess and Fernleaf. Larger varieties include tuldoides and textilus, which are striking but need more room due to their large root balls which can reach five to six feet and more in width.