Bamboo is very popular for imaginative garden design. In terms of cutting care, the Asian perennial is treated neither as a wood nor as a conventional ornamental grass. In this tutorial you can read when and how to cut bamboo in an exemplary manner.

Bamboo can be subject to cosmetic corrections at any time

Table of Contents

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  1. Unusual growth
  2. Best time
  3. Cut flat tube bamboo
  4. Cut umbrella bamboo
  5. Cut bamboo hedge
  6. Rejuvenate dwarf bamboo
  7. topiary
  8. frequently asked Questions

    9. Unusual growth affects cut care

    Despite all prophecies of doom, you can very well cut your bamboo. Before you reach for the scissors, you should familiarize yourself with the special growth behavior. Although the plant becomes lignified over time, its growth differs markedly from that of trees and shrubs. The following botanical aspects influence the care of bamboo cuts:

    • Bamboo is an ornamental grass and no wood
    • Growth with perennial, woody culms
    • Evergreen and largely hardy
    • Each culm only grows one growing season in height

    It is primarily the latter point that you should take to heart when cutting bamboo. Trees and shrubs grow a little longer at the tips every year in accordance with the law of top support. A bamboo stalk sprout in spring and has reached its final height by autumn. In the following years, growth is limited to the sprouting of leafy side shoots, depending on the species and variety. In this way, fast-growing bamboo species reach majestic heights of six to eight meters within eight to ten years - but this growth also always occurs within a single season.

    Best time

    Bamboo is naturally good cut compatible. You can cut off isolated, disturbing stalks throughout the season without hesitation. If, on the other hand, you have prescribed a comprehensive cut for the opulent ornamental grass, this will move spring into focus. With regard to the conditional winter hardiness of fresh stalks, the main frost period should be over when you cut bamboo. The best time for pruning is just before plant growth begins in your area.

    Please do not be tempted to attack your bamboo with scissors or a saw in late autumn. According to the laws of growth, every cut causes more or less strong budding. So shortly before winter, herbaceous stalks have nothing to oppose severe frost and freeze back. The resulting rot affects the entire bamboo.

    Cut flat tube bamboo

    Flat tube bamboo (Phyllostachys) inspires with green, yellow, reddish-brown or black culms that bring color to the garden. It is the three to four-year-old stalks whose coloring shines in all its splendour. Older culms pay tribute to impermanence by fading their colors and weathering the leaves. After eight to ten years, a bamboo stem has passed its zenith and gradually dies. At the same time, young stalks sprout every season, so that a continuous rejuvenation process takes place. With a planned cut care you have a supporting effect on the development. How to do it right:

    • Partially thin out flat tube bamboo every year
    • Cut off dead stems at the base
    • Cut off a third or a quarter of the old, fading stems to ground level

    You master a solid woody bamboo stem with a stable two-handed pruning shears, which ideally have a power-boosting ratchet gear. Alternatively, you can use a handy folding saw (€17.70) with Japanese perforation. Regular thinning ensures that your bamboo thrives when it is flooded with light, so that young stalks color better and produce numerous leafy side shoots.

    Thin out your bamboo every spring. Cut off dead stalks at ground level. At least a third of old, faded stems must also give way to make way for a fresh, colorful shoot.

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    Root barrier curbs spread

    When buying runner-forming bamboo varieties, a stable root barrier belongs in the shopping cart. The optimal length of a rhizome barrier depends primarily on the expected growth height. As a rough rule of thumb, base the length of the root barrier on half the expected height. Dig a trench 65 to 70 centimeters deep to lay the rot-proof geotextile (€107.71) in it. Both ends should overlap by 10 centimeters and are connected with an aluminum rail. It is important to note that the rhizome barrier sticks out a few centimetres. Otherwise, bamboo roots could migrate over the barrier.

    Cut umbrella bamboo

    Umbrella bamboo (Fargesia) gives rise to a pruning with its dense clumps. If winter brings a lot of snow with it, the nests tend to fall apart in spring. Snow pressure has weakened the bamboo to such an extent that a heavy downpour is enough to cause a number of stalks to bend and protrude unattractively from the mold. The troublemakers can then no longer be integrated. The reason for this is the comparatively small stalk diameter, which can no longer support the high leaf volume. How to fix the problem as part of the cut maintenance:

    • Cut back stalks damaged by snow pressure by a third or half
    • Thin out dead, overgrown stems to ground level

    As a result of the reduced weight, shortened stalks straighten up again by themselves. Although the stems can no longer make up for the lost height, they still contribute to a dense, uninterrupted bamboo clump with numerous leafy side shoots.

    tips

    Woody bamboo culms are perfect for supporting newly planted trees or windthrow perennials. Short pieces of stalks are useful as markers for planting sites in ornamental and kitchen gardens.

    Cut bamboo hedge

    When cutting a bamboo hedge, you should always consider the special growth. In contrast to a hedge of shrubs, bamboo culms do not grow back in height after a cut. Therefore, do not cut the stems shorter than you want the hedge to be. With a clever layered cut, you can optimize the privacy factor. How to properly trim a bamboo hedge:

    • Thin out all dead stalks beforehand
    • Cut the stalks in the middle of the hedge to the desired height
    • Trim the stalks a little shorter on the front and back

    Over the years, you primarily shape the new stems so that they integrate harmoniously into the hedge profile. If umbrella bamboo forms a hedge, damage can occur as a result of snow pressure, as with solitary eyries. Shorten the affected stalks with pruning shears or hedge shears so that they no longer protrude from the hedge shape.

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    Sap accumulation promotes dense side foliage

    In order for a bamboo hedge to reliably fend off prying eyes, it depends on dense side foliage. By shortening a stem, you cause a sap accumulation below the cutting point. Eyes that have been dormant so far become lively and drive out diligently. When trimming your bamboo hedge in stages, shorten the outer stalks a little more than the stalks on the inside of the hedge. As a result, numerous leaves also sprout in the lower area for perfect privacy protection down to the ground.

    Rejuvenate dwarf bamboo occasionally

    In the creative design of Asian gardens, dwarf bamboo (Pleiobastus pymaeus) is very popular as an evergreen ground cover. As long as its invasive character is kept in check with root barriers, the small bamboo species proves to be easy to care for.

    Dwarf bamboo is just as little immune to the natural aging process as its big brothers. When the culms are dying and the leaves are fading, energize growth with a thinning pruning. You can either cut out over-aged sections or carry out a complete pruning close to the ground. Thanks to its vital growth potential, you can rely on strong, fresh shoots.

    Shape cutting on bamboo - is that possible?

    Good-natured cut tolerance and impressive growth qualify numerous bamboo species and varieties for topiary. Creative home gardeners like to give their umbrella bamboo a spherical shape. A wavy hedge topiary can be excellently realized with a variety of Fargesia varieties. For this purpose, you should let the scissors circle several times per season. Initially, allow your bamboo a year or two to become established at the site.

    Make the first cut in the spring before the new leaves sprout. Only when your bamboo has completely leafed through do the second cut. After another four to six weeks, complete this year's topiary. In the following year it is sufficient if you dedicate yourself to the new shoots to bring them into the desired silhouette.

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    frequently asked Questions

    Should bamboo be planted with a root barrier?

    Not every bamboo sends out its roots to take over the garden. Various species and cultivars thrive as clumps and refrain from invasive growth with stolons. The peaceful bamboo species include all Fargesia varieties in particular. If you plan to plant Phyllostachys bamboo, the use of a rhizome barrier is strongly recommended.

    Is bamboo hardy?

    Bamboo varieties suitable for gardens and balconies are mostly hardy. Well-rooted specimens in the bed tolerate temperatures down to -26 degrees Celsius very well. Only shading against sunlight is advisable to prevent drought stress. An exception applies to bamboo in the bucket. The exposed position of the root ball makes it vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Ideally, you give the plants in time. Alternatively, wrap the bucket with fleece or bubble wrap and slide a block of wood underneath.

    Do I need to cut an umbrella bamboo after planting and tie it up for the winter?

    Neither nor. Bamboo is an ornamental grass and not a tree. Pruning to encourage branching is not required. To ensure that umbrella bamboo survives the cold season safely, we recommend a shade net in the first and second year to protect against drought stress in the blazing winter sun.

    I would like to underplant my bamboo hedge with small ornamental grasses. Which varieties are suitable?

    The Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii), especially the 'Aureovariegata' variety, and the white-edged sedge (Carex foliosissima) 'Icedance' are highly recommended as underplanting. Decorative at the foot of a bamboo hedge are also the cotoneaster 'Radicans', ground cover cherry laurel (Lonicera pileata) or the low garland (Stephanandra incisa) 'Crispa'.

    Can I cut off the top of bamboo if it grows too tall?

    This is easily possible. The best time is in spring, just before budding begins. However, you should be aware of the final height, because once the stalks have been shortened, they will no longer grow in height.

    Our two umbrella bamboos are light green after a harsh winter, shed leaves and roll up the remaining foliage. Are the plants frozen? What can we do?

    Shedding and curling of leaves after winter is nothing to worry about. Severe frost causes drought stress on bamboo. The evergreen leaves continue to evaporate water without the roots in the frozen ground being able to provide replenishment. As a result, umbrella bamboo reduces the evaporation surface by curling up its leaves. Heavy frost causes the plant to shed some leaves. Just in time for the beginning of spring, fresh culms sprout from the root ball and the leaves roll up again.

    The 3 most common cutting mistakes

    Anyone who lumps bamboo with conventional grasses is subject to one of the most common mistakes when cutting. Other common mishaps are based on an unsuitable choice of date and the complete omission of an incision. The following table summarizes the three most common pruning errors with information on damage and skilful prevention:

    cutting error damage picture prevention
    cut back radically like conventional ornamental grass total failure Thin out occasionally, only shorten if necessary
    never cut premature aging with fading straws Thin out old, pale culms
    cut in the fall frost damage Cut bamboo in spring

    tips

    Sacred Bamboo or Heavenly Bamboo has no botanical or horticultural connection with real bamboo. In fact, it is an evergreen, unsupported flowering shrub of the Barberry family. Nandina domestica grows to a height of 150 to 200 cm, flowers in early summer and bears red berries in autumn. The name refers to its common use in Japanese temple gardens.

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Herbs