Bamboo for a narrow location?

[cosmiccat]

Hi there. I ran across this forum while looking for information on plants for the shade. It's a great site and for me, a great find as I've been wondering something for a while.

Are there any bamboos that would be suggested for a narrow patch of dirt, approx. 10" wide that would grow to about 8' tall? I'd like to use it as a screen for my side yard between me and my neighbors. There's a masonry wall dividing our properties, the 10" of dirt, and a brick pathway on our side yard. I live in S. California, I believe we're in zone 9 or 10.

Any help would be great! I've researched at many different bamboo varieties on the net and none of them seem like they'd work as they need a much wider space.

Thanks!

[CaroleMeckes]

Hello and 'welculm' cosmiccat.
Although I am no expert, I tend to think that 10 inches is not much space, but then some people do grow bamboo in pots and they don't have much more space than that in some pots.

Is your space sunny or shady?
Will the plants have space to "lean over" or will they need to be upright?

I would tend to suggest something like Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess'
or Bambusa mutliplex 'Fernleaf' although they will lean over and not grow straight up.

Both will do best in full sun.

Another alternative is to just build a bamboo fence.

You are welculm to post a picture of the area that you are referring to - maybe it will help with providing ideas.

Carole Meckes

[ddhort]

I too extend a welculm, especially a fellow Socal member.

As Carole notes we need to know how much sun exposure your proposed site will receive.

At work we have numerous plantings of Bambusa "Alphonse Karr" in very narrow areas. One major consideration is that, even though this is a clumping bamboo, over time it will go beyond your intended boundaries...believe me! So a root barrier of high density polyvinylchloride at least 24 inches deep is just about mandatory.

The 'Alphonse Karr' we have planted has reached 15-20 feet in height.

Best,

David

[cosmiccat]

Thanks for your replies, guys!

The area is only about 3.5ft wide in total, so spreading out onto the pathway would not really be an option. The path goes roughly north/south, so it gets some midday sun. I'd also like to keep the bamboo to about 8ft tall, if possible.

It's really sounding like Bamboo may not be an option. I may look into something less of a screen and more decorative.