Bamboo as a hedge

A hedge is generally considered a compact, neatly trimmed landscape item and bamboo is an excellent choice for a hedge.

Most of the bamboos under 10' will make a good hedge with little or no trimming except for containment and are rated as Good.

Those between 10' and 20' can be trimmed or left untrimmed to produce a good hedge and are rated as Excellent.

Bamboos between 20' and 30' need to be topped and trimmed to produce a good hedge and are rated as Good.

Those over 30' usually do not make a good hedge and are rated as Too tall.

For a trimmed hedge, wait until the new branches just start to leaf out and then pull the culm over and snap with your hands just above a branch node. That culm never has to be topped again. After the branches have leafed out, use hand pruners and trim the branches to the defined area. Again, that branch will never have to be prunned again. Topping and side pruning will give a very dense and manicured hedge with minimum maintenance.

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MidAtlantic Bamboo