Clumping (noninvasive) vs. running (invasive) bamboo

“Won’t bamboo take over my yard?”

This is probably the most frequent question we receive when chatting about bamboo with prospective clients. Unfortunately, bamboo has gained a reputation for its invasiveness in homeowners’ yards. While it’s true that some species of bamboo have roots that can become invasive, most that we carry at Ninth Ward Nursery do not.

While there are, by most estimates, more than 1,200 species of bamboos in the world (with more still being discovered), nearly all that you will find fall into two categories: clumping (non-invasive) and running (invasive).

Running bamboo

Running bamboos (fig. B above) have long, rope-like rhizomes that can spread a few feet to a few yards from each plant. Along these rhizomes are nodes — growth points from which new bamboo shoots emerge — and if left unrestrained, they can cause problems in the garden. Running bamboos’ rhizome growth can be constrained by planting it in a controlled area such as an aboveground planter, large pot, or by installing PVC rhizome barrier in the ground surrounding the bamboo.

What We Offer

Ninth Ward Nursery specializes in cold-hardy, evergreen, clumping species of bamboo, which for most of our clients is ideal for creating a lush natural privacy screen. We carry a variety of running bamboos as well. Learn more by visiting our Bamboo page, by contacting us to set up an at-home consultation or to arrange a time to stop by the nursery outside of open hours (Saturdays, 9am-5pm), or by stopping by when we’re open.

Clumping bamboo

Clumping bamboos (fig. A above) have rhizomes (roots) that cluster together, creating a dense mass of shoots that are only 2’-3’ in diameter for some species, and 6’-8’ for others. Because clumping bamboo rhizomes have a finite amount of room in which to spread, we recommend planting most of them 3’-4’ apart (with some exceptions). Over time, those clumps will grow closer to each other, and the foliage above will create a “wall of greenery” that serves as a lush, evergreen privacy screen.