Growing bamboo plants at home

While many people think of bamboo plants as something grown in Asia, this versatile greenery is actually well suited to Australian conditions. Whether you're after bamboo to grow for privacy or a decorative touch, here are some tips for growing bamboo in your garden.

Bamboo is a versatile and attractive woody grass plant that has long been treasured in Asian countries for its strength, as well as its medicinal and culinary qualities. But it's also perfect for the Australian climate and is becoming a popular screening plant, says Greg Braun, who is known as Mr Bamboo.

"If you've got a privacy problem at home, we can fix it by growing bamboo," explains Greg. "Either grown in pots on balconies or in the ground against a fence, you can use it in situations where neighbours are looking down on you, or even between the house and the road."

Is it easy growing bamboo plants?

Bamboo can be planted to suit the layout of a garden or patio and managed in a similar way to a hedge fence. Bamboo varieties often feature attractive foliage, but growers may choose to sculpt and trim these leaves for the sake of a tidy appearance. Bamboo plants are generally easy to grow, although they will require generous watering when first planted.

Do I leave my bamboo to grow untrimmed?

The rate of growth of a plant will depend on the species, but once established, potted bamboo should only need pruning once a year. Garden bamboo can grow a little quicker and sometimes spread at an alarming rate.

When growing bamboo on balconies, Greg encourages regular trimming so the plant grows upwards rather than outwards. "You can't have branches getting in the way where space is restricted," he says. "Bamboo can be trimmed very easily and looks better for it. It likes manipulation."

What kinds of bamboo are available?

Surprisingly, you can grow bamboo of more varieties when planting in pots, rather than straight into the garden. "In pots, you can use invasive (or running) bamboo varieties that you can't use in the ground as they spread too quickly," says Greg. "This gives you access to more species."

Another advantage of growing bamboo in pots is the ability to move the plants around. Cold weather can be harsh to some varieties, so bringing the plants inside out of the frosty air is an advantage. And for renters, potted bamboo becomes a portable screen that can be shifted from one home to the next.

To incorporate some striking bamboo plants in your garden, find a nursery in your area: