Planting bamboo species together

[newtobamboo]

I've just gotten 2 different types of bamboo: one is Shibataea chinensis and the other Fargesia. Is it possible, or a good idea, to plant them very close together so that the Shibataea will work as a ground cover for the Fargesia? This is my first adventure with bamboo - - and I want to move cautiously. I do NOT want any invasive bamboo plants in my garden, but hope to have a variety of clumping bamboos.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi newtobamboo,
The Fargesia is a clumper and the Shibataea chinensis is a spreading ground cover, but in your area it should be relatively easy to contain by root pruning , as it has fairly shallow growing rhizomes.

I think it would look good growing around the Fargesia, though you may need to snip out ocassional culms that grow into and also around base of the Fargesia clump to provide some breathing room.

Mark