Quite often, people who need privacy screen grow various plants in pots. One of the easiest and most practical solutions would be to grow potted Seabreeze bamboo or Dragon’s Head bamboo for a privacy screen. But many different varieties can suit your design. Read more about the most popular types of plants for bamboo privacy screen in this article.
The need for growing bamboo
Before considering potted bamboo plants for privacy species, it is necessary to determine the need for growing plants.
Bamboo has a fast growth rate, so it decorates the balcony pretty quickly.
Bamboo plants help to create a secluded atmosphere, as it has dense foliage.
It does not require careful maintenance, so it is the best solution for those who do not have enough time to grow plants. If you grow them in pots, you can mix the bamboo plants into different positions.
Tank selection
It is extremely important to choose the right pots to grow bamboo plants. This is due to their enormous strength, so bushes can break out of weak containers.
If you choose pots, choose pots made of concrete, solid wood, or metal.
Plastic structures do not work, because they can collapse under the influence of roots.
Pots with railings are out of place because they need a lot of free space. Choose containers that have drainage holes.
Pots should be heavy so that they do not turn over in windy weather. You need to understand that the size of the container depends on the variety that you plan to grow.
The depth and diameter of the pot should be 18-20 inches. The minimum size should be 10-12 gallons and the maximum 25-30 gallons.
Features of choosing the right bamboo for privacy screen
If you are trying to determine which bamboo species to choose, it makes sense to pay attention to several factors.
Type of bamboo
There are several types of bamboo: clumping and running bamboo. Clumping bamboo is considered non-invasive.
It is the best option for creating a secluded atmosphere. This is because it is fixed in a certain place. Growth is from the center out.
Clumping bamboo grows gradually, and the growth rate can be controlled. Therefore, you can achieve a privacy screen, even without the use of planter boxes. If possible, it is better to plant clumping bamboo in flower boxes.
Running bamboo is considered invasive. Therefore, running bamboo is not the best solution if you need to create a secluded atmosphere.
This is because shoots can spread unevenly over different distances, and it is rather difficult to control the process. Due to the heterogeneity and spreading, it is more difficult to achieve bamboo privacy screen.
If you like the way running bamboo looks, you can plant it. However, you have to use planter boxes or install a natural barrier.
Around the bush has to mow a large area. You also have to control the development of the bamboo roots.
It is appropriate to choose combined bamboo options. This allows a privacy screen while you are planting.
Plant appearance
It is important to pay attention to the shade, height, and diameter of the Seabreeze bamboo bush or other bamboo species.
You need to understand that there are many varieties on sale, and all of them differ in these indicators. Depending on the appearance of the bush, you can vary the secluded area.
You can find green, red, yellow, blue, black, and brown varieties of the bamboo plant. There are combined varieties that combine different shades.
The shoots can be up to 98 feet long and the bushes can be up to 12 inches in diameter. The choice of bamboo species depends on your preferences, as well as the amount of free space.
Sensitivity to the environment
It is very important to monitor how sensitive the selected variable is to environmental factors. Focus on the characteristics of your region.
If the plant is not suitable for your area, you have difficulty growing it and will not be able to form a secluded area.
Unsuitable environmental factors provoke the death of the roots, and the death of the entire plant. Some bamboo species are more sensitive than others.
Some species prefer to grow in tropical conditions. Others like cooler climates.
Keep track of how cold and resistant the plant is. You can get acquainted with the indicators of the lowest temperatures that plants can withstand on the network.
Try to pay attention to the hardiness temperature of varieties.
If the temperature outside is much lower than the plant can handle, it may lose its growth rate. It is possible that this completely causes the death of the bushes, and you have to grow plants from scratch.
Please refer to the USDA plant hardiness zone map for cultivar selection. This allows you to choose plants, depending on where you live.
Analyze what kind of climate prevails in your area. Based on this, choose the appropriate bamboo species.
Need for care
Most bamboo that is on the market is considered undemanding to care for.
However, you should still study in advance what exactly has to be done for the proper growth of the bushes. Pay attention to pruning, watering, fertilization, and root control requirements.
Some bamboo species require plenty of sun throughout the day. Other varieties prefer to grow in partial shade. For example, the Fargesia cultivar prefers some shade at noon when the sun is at its strongest.
It is extremely important to determine what soil pH a particular variety of bamboo prefers to grow in. First, choose well-drained soil.
This ensures its saturation with oxygen. The most popular Seabreeze bamboo or Dragon’s Head bamboo plant prefers to grow in the soil if its pH is slightly acidic.
Therefore, pH values should be determined in advance. If it is difficult to do this visually, or if you doubt the indicators, you can use a special device to check.
This determines the need for soil treatment before planting bushes.
You may also need to fertilize to ensure the bamboo gets enough nutrients.
Some varieties may require more intensive watering than others. Before embarking on landing, it makes sense to analyze the amount of free time.
You need to understand how much time you can devote to caring for the bushes so that they form a secluded area.
If you have a little free time, choose simple bamboo species that do not require special care. If you work on a strict schedule, you can focus on unusual and finicky varieties.
Varieties of plants for bamboo privacy screen
On sale, there is a large assortment of different varieties of bamboo that is appropriate to create a secluded atmosphere.
However, some species are not considered universal. Therefore, both artificial and real varieties will be described below. Artificial bamboo is the best for rented apartments, however, they are expensive.
Bamboo Sunset Glow
The peculiarity of this variety is that it has yellow shoots.
Leaf plates are light green. When sunset begins, the shade of the shoots intensifies. It should be noted the rapid growth of the bush. Suitable for growing in 5-9 zones, and can withstand frosts down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mature shrubs can grow up to 6 feet. However, if you plant the bushes in a pot, the growth rate is not as fast. Due to the density of shoots, bushes are an excellent solution for growing open balconies.
Weaver’s Bamboo
The height of the bushes can reach 30-40 feet. The plant diameter does not exceed 1 inch. Ideal for growing in zones 9-11.
The culture is resistant to frost and can withstand temperatures up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Prefers to grow in well-lit areas.
The culture is ideal for the cultivation of privacy screen. The leaves are evergreen and do not change color depending on the season.
The stem also has a rich light green hue. Needs an average amount of water. There is resistance to hot, cold, and windy weather.
Bamboo grown in pots not only indoors, but also outdoors. To create an intimate atmosphere, you can grow a few Weaver’s Bamboo plants in pots on your balcony.
Black bamboo
This is the best solution for those who prefer to grow unusual varieties.
Black bamboo is characterized by dense and thick shoots that turn black in the second year after planting. You can plant a crop in zones 6-10. This suggests that the variety prefers a cool climate.
However, frost resistance is low. Shrubs may die if the air temperature falls below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore, in winter, the bushes need to be brought into the room. The height of the shoots can reach 25 feet. However, when growing on a balcony, the shoots need to be cut back to 6-8 feet.
Variety Multiplex
This is the best variety of bamboo if you want to form a living wall for a privacy screen on the balcony. The shoots are densely arranged.
The variety prefers to grow in warmth, so it is appropriate for zones 7-10. Mature shrubs can be up to 30 feet tall.
However, if planted in pots, then such growth is extremely difficult to achieve. Due to the rapid growth rate and height, the culture needs careful care. You need to use more massive and capacious pots.
Yellow bamboo
This variety is a bit like black bamboo, however, it is distinguished by the presence of creeping shoots.
If you plant it in pots, then you can not appreciate its full potential. However, you can achieve a secluded atmosphere.
Yellow bamboo is suitable for planting in zones 5-10.
If the temperature will vary from 0 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, the bushes need to be brought into the room. Otherwise, they will die.
Therefore, in winter you can forget about solitude. The shoots are quite massive and can reach a height of 46 feet. They can be used as a support for other plants.
Blue bamboo
Bushes can be up to 40 feet tall and 2 inches in diameter. The variety is recommended to be grown in zones 9-11.
Shrubs can withstand temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It prefers to grow both in the sun and in partial shade. Culture is appropriate to create a secluded atmosphere.
The attractiveness of the culture lies in the unusual shade of the shoots. Long internodes can be seen on the stems. The stems themselves are made in a blue tint. Leaf plates are characterized by a rich green tint.
Requires regular, but not frequent watering. If you are looking for a plant that creates a private bamboo screen, check out this variety.
Small bissetii
This variety is called dwarf not because of the height of the bushes. The culture can grow up to 18 feet in height.
However, it is still lower than other varieties of bamboo. Preferably bamboo grown in zones 4-8. It is safe to say that this culture is cold-tolerant best of all.
Ideal for growing in pots, and allows the formation of small and dense thickets.
Therefore, you can plant bamboo on the balcony and create a secluded atmosphere. Shoots are very thin and long. To adjust the desired height, you should trim the bushes annually.
Golden bamboo
Visually, this culture strongly resembles yellow bamboo. The difference is in the shade of the shoots. Golden bamboo is completely yellow.
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But yellow bamboo forms yellow spots on green shoots. This variety is considered creeping and would be ideal for growing in pots.
However, it must be kept under control. It is recommended to grow Golden Bamboo in zones 6-10.
Although the plant is considered creeping, it can form dense groups. Therefore, it helps to create a secluded atmosphere. The dense foliage also contributes to this.
The vibrant shades of the leaves help you transform your balcony. This is the best solution if you want to decorate the room in a Mediterranean or boho style.
Variety Buddha Belly
Bushes of this variety can reach a height of 40-55 feet. If planted in pots, the height does not exceed 8-15 feet. Bushes can be up to 2.25 inches in diameter.
Preferred landing zones are 9-12. The culture can withstand temperatures down to 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
It can grow both in the sun and in the shade. Small evergreen leaves form on the bushes. The stems are also characterized by a green tint. It should be noted that internodes can be voluminous. This gave rise to the name “Belly of the Buddha”.
When the plant goes into a state of stress, the internodes begin to swell. Therefore, if you notice a similar sign, then you know that something is wrong with the plant, and you can quickly take measures to eliminate the stressful situation.
Caring for this variety is not difficult.
It is enough to ensure regular and moderate watering. The plant should not be allowed to be overwatered or faced with drought. Pots can be placed both in the sun and in the shade. This plant does not cold-tolerant.
If your area is very cold in winter, you have to move the plants indoors. If this is not possible, it is better to look for other cold hardy varieties suitable for your region. However, the Buddha Belly variety can create an excellent secluded atmosphere.
FAQ
When it comes to finding bamboo varieties that help create a secluded atmosphere, many questions can be faced.
Can bamboo grow tall in pots?
Most varieties of bamboo are tall. If in the open ground, they can reach a height of 30 feet, then in pots, the height will not exceed 15 feet.
How long can bamboo live in pots?
If you plan to plant bamboo in pots, then its lifespan will be 3 to 7 years. The exact timing depends on the container used, variety, and growing conditions. A transplant is required every 3-7 years, as bushes tend to draw nutrients from the soil.
Which bamboo is best for pots?
In pots, the easiest way is to grow blue or black bamboo. These varieties do not die if there is no room for root growth. They also do not differ in great height.
Results
As you can see, choosing bamboo varieties for privacy is quite difficult. Many factors must be taken into account so that the bushes can develop, and not greatly clutter up the space.
