 Important note about plant availability.There are hundreds of factsheets on our website provided for your information. Not all plants will be available at all times throughout the year. To confirm availability please call (03) 8850 3030 and ask for the nursery. |
Melbournians have switched onto bamboos – partly because of a great range of species suitable to Victorian conditions are now available, so the disappointments of species more suited to Sydney are now a thing of the past.
Both graceful and tough, versatile and easy care, bamboo can be used for privacy screening, as a focal point or to create a tropical or Asian feel in the garden. It is tolerant of grey water and sequesters carbon at an astonishing rate.
To ensure success when planting your bamboo, follow these simple rules:
- After bringing your bamboo home, if you are not planting it immediately, put into a sheltered position and water twice daily if warm.
- Improve the soil with both compost and manure.
- Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep or a little deeper than the pot size.
- Carefully remove the plant from the container with minimal root disturbance and place into the hole. Backfill carefully, pressing the soil in firmly to avoid air pockets.
- Immediately after planting flood the area with 9L (full watering can or bucket) of water or weak solution of seaweed tonic.
- Mulch thickly with a coarse organic mulch
- For the first two years look after the bamboo during the hottest months, water well (grey water is fine).
- Bamboo is a gross feeder, so feed well with manure or slow release fertiliser over its growing period (spring to summer).
- Bamboo can be thinned out as desired, or hedged. To thin, cut off a culm (or stem) at or near ground level. This encourages fresh new shoots.
The following varieties are all suitable for Melbourne conditions and are generally available year-round at BAAG.
