Bamboo - an essential design element in Asian garden cultures, has also become increasingly popular in European gardens in recent years. There are various reasons for this: It is a robust, evergreen and relatively easy-care plant that needs to be cut back once or twice a year. Many types of bamboo can withstand lower temperatures below zero. The plant can grow several meters high within a short period of time and can be used in different forms - as a pot plant, hedge, terrace greening, privacy screen and wind protection. These diverse properties make it so versatile and offer you a lot of creative freedom.
There are many different types of bamboo. They differ in the many types of stalks and leaves, their height and space requirements. So it's important to first determine what role you want the plant to play in your garden. Of the species, Phyllostachys and Fargesia are probably the most frost-resistant. The tall growing “Fargesia denudata” was voted Bamboo of the Year 2015 by the European Bamboo Society. It has good winter hardiness and likes a partially shaded spot in the garden. If cut regularly, this type of bamboo can also be used as a hedge plant.
Bamboo loves clay soil with a pH of around 6.5. The plant is also particularly popular in garden ponds, but in this case the water in the root area must be able to drain away easily. Although it is mostly used as privacy and wind protection, the plant prefers places protected from the wind.
During the growing season (between March and July), the subtropical plant must receive enough water so that the bamboo garden develops well. It is also advisable to add low-nitrogen fertilizer. Depending on the species, winter or frost hardiness can be down to -30 °C and more. However, the plant also needs care in winter because it dies of thirst in winter without water. The root ball should be protected because frost damage cannot be ruled out. If the plant rolls its leaves in frosty temperatures, this is a sign to water - ideally with lukewarm water.
