Planting Bamboo For Screening

• 1). Choose your location. Bamboo will grow larger and more quickly in full sun, but it can be planted in areas of partial shade, particularly in southern climates.
  
  
• 2). Prepare the soil. Loosen the soil to a depth of 8 inches. Bamboo likes a slightly acidic soil.
  
  
• 3). Select your plants. Clumping bamboo is the best choice if you do not plan to install a barrier. Consider Fargesia and Thamnocalamus--these are hardy clumping varieties that perform well in most parts of the country.
  
  
• 4). Plant and maintain. Cover your newly-planted rhizomes with a 2-inch layer of mulch. During the first year of growth, do not let the soil dry out. For fast coverage, plant 2 feet apart.
  
  
• 5). Prune if necessary. Remove any dead or damaged canes. After the first year, bamboo can be trimmed to create a hedge if desired.
  
  
• 6). Prepare for next year. Mulch heavily prior to a frost. In the northernmost range (up to zone 5), protect bamboo from drying winter winds by spraying with an anti-dessicant, wrapping the clumps with burlap or installing a temporary wind break.