Bamboo – the exotic all-rounder in the garden.

Bamboo is a true exotic in the garden. Although it is related to corn, oats, and wheat, bamboo brings an Eastern flair to any garden and holds great significance in Chinese garden art.

It’s no surprise that bamboo is a must-have here as well when an Eastern atmosphere is desired. But bamboo is even more versatile and can be used in various places throughout the garden.

Although bamboo originates from Asia, America, and Australia, many species can now be cultivated in gardens here as well. Bamboo has a significant advantage: because some species even grow in high mountains and are exposed to cold temperatures, they are hardy enough to thrive in your own garden. Bamboo can even withstand temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius for short periods. But bamboo has another special feature. It is the fastest-growing plant species and can grow up to 30 centimeters per day. And even though bamboo doesn't grow quite as large here, the giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) can reach heights of up to 50 meters in its native Southeast Asia. A particularly practical aspect of bamboo’s rapid growth is that it can absorb very large amounts of CO2, producing up to 35% more oxygen through photosynthesis compared to a similarly sized area of trees.

Bamboo is a true all-rounder in the garden. Whether as a hedge or ground cover, as a privacy screen or courtyard greenery – there’s hardly any place where bamboo cannot be used. If you want a fast-growing, natural privacy screen, bamboo is definitely the way to go. Thanks to its rapid growth, bamboo can shield your garden or terrace from the curious eyes of neighbors in just one growing season, while also adding a touch of Asia to your outdoor space. Bamboo is increasingly being used as a container plant and cultivated for conservatories or patios. In this climate, bamboo can be harvested after about 3 years. By then, the stems are sufficiently woody, and the bamboo can be processed. Unlike other plants, bamboo doesn’t need to be replanted after harvest. It has similar properties to weeds, continuously growing back from the roots.

Before bringing bamboo into your garden, it's important to know which species you're dealing with and seek advice from a specialist. If you don’t use a rhizome barrier for certain types of bamboo, you may regret it after a few years. There is, however, a hardy bamboo that doesn’t produce runners and thus doesn’t require a rhizome barrier: the umbrella bamboo. The umbrella bamboo grows compactly and belongs to the smaller bamboo species, despite reaching impressive heights of up to 3 meters. When planting, loosen the soil and enrich it with mature compost. It's important to regularly water the bamboo, as the rhizome barrier can cause the soil to dry out quickly. Once planted, bamboo is a very low-maintenance companion. It doesn’t require regular pruning, but young, freshly planted bamboo is somewhat frost-sensitive in the first few years and should be covered with leaves in the fall. By the way, bamboo blooms only once every 70 years and then dies. After flowering, new bamboo grows from the seeds, which will bloom and die again after 70 years.