Bamboo, a type of giant grass, grows extensively and successfully across Georgia. Its popularity stems from its rapid growth rate and evergreen foliage, providing year-round color. Selecting the correct species and implementing proper management are necessary for successful cultivation in the state.
Georgia’s Climate and Bamboo Hardiness
Georgia’s climate is highly favorable for many bamboo species, spanning multiple USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. The state ranges from Zone 6b in the mountainous northern regions to Zone 9a along the subtropical southern coast, with average annual minimum temperatures varying widely from around -5°F to 25°F. This broad range allows for a diverse selection of bamboo, provided the appropriate cold tolerance is chosen for the specific location.
Most common ornamental varieties are well-suited to these zones, especially the cold-hardy temperate types. The climate also features high humidity and ample rainfall, factors that naturally support the vigorous growth habit of bamboo. A species rated for Zone 9a, common in South Georgia, would likely experience significant cold damage if planted in the colder Zone 6b of North Georgia. Therefore, matching the bamboo’s minimum temperature rating to the local hardiness zone is a primary consideration.
Running vs. Clumping: Choosing the Right Type for Georgia
The fundamental difference between bamboo types is determined by their underground root structure, known as rhizomes. This distinction dictates the level of maintenance a plant will require. Running bamboos use monopodial rhizomes, which are long, slender, and spread horizontally underground, sending up new shoots, or culms, often many feet from the parent plant.
Species like Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo) and Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) are common running varieties in Georgia due to their excellent cold tolerance. Their aggressive spreading habit makes them ideal for quickly establishing a dense screen or grove, but it also necessitates consistent containment efforts. Clumping bamboos use sympodial rhizomes, which are short, thick, and turn upward quickly to form new culms immediately adjacent to the parent plant.
These rhizomes cause the plant to expand slowly outward in a tight, circular footprint, usually only a few inches per year. Clumping varieties, such as Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’ (Graceful Bamboo), are popular in the warmer Zone 8 and 9 areas of South Georgia. While clumping types are considered non-invasive and require less maintenance, they are often less cold-tolerant than the running types.
Strategies for Containing Bamboo Growth
Managing the spread of running bamboo is necessary to prevent it from becoming invasive. The most effective containment strategy involves installing a physical root barrier. This barrier should be made of thick, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, typically 40 to 60 mil thick, durable enough to withstand the pressure of growing rhizomes.
The barrier must be installed vertically into a trench that is at least 24 to 30 inches deep, as most running bamboo rhizomes travel in the top 18 inches of soil. It is necessary to leave 2 to 3 inches of the barrier protruding above the soil line so rhizomes cannot grow up and over the containment wall. The ends must be overlapped and secured with a stainless steel closure strip to prevent any gaps.
For maintenance, annual rhizome pruning is a proactive method to keep the bamboo in check, even with a barrier in place. This involves using a sharp spade to sever any rhizomes that have reached the perimeter of the designated growing area. Alternatively, trenching involves digging a shallow, 12-inch deep trench around the grove to expose new rhizomes for easy removal.
New shoots that appear outside the desired area, known as “volunteers,” should be mowed down or broken off at ground level while they are still soft. This process depletes the energy reserves stored in the underground rhizome system. Consistent annual maintenance is highly recommended for running bamboo planted near property lines to avoid neighbor disputes.
Common Uses of Bamboo in the Landscape
Bamboo’s rapid growth makes it an excellent solution for creating fast-growing screens and hedges. Certain upright species can reach mature heights in just a few years, providing immediate visual privacy from neighbors or street traffic. The dense foliage of many clumping and contained running varieties creates an effective natural sound barrier.
The robust, fibrous root structure of bamboo is highly effective for erosion control on slopes or along riverbanks. This extensive network of underground rhizomes and fine feeder roots stabilizes the soil, preventing washouts during heavy Georgia rain events. Beyond its living applications, the woody culms are a renewable resource that can be harvested for craft materials, garden stakes, or decorative fencing.