Running bamboo spreads through underground stems called rhizomes, and stopping it means digging them out thoroughly rather than just cutting down the canes.
Bamboo comes in two broad habits. Clumping bamboo stays in a tight, slowly expanding clump and is generally well behaved. Running bamboo is a different matter: it sends out long underground stems, called rhizomes, which travel sideways and pop up new canes some distance away. If the bamboo in your garden is marching across the lawn, under the fence or into the neighbours' plot, you almost certainly have a running type. Identifying which type you have is the first step towards deciding what to do.
Rhizomes carry food reserves and new buds, so a bamboo plant can send out shoots in any direction, year after year. The mild, wet South Wales climate and good soil give it ideal conditions. Often the plant was bought small and put in without any barrier, and it behaved for a few seasons while it settled in. Then it takes off, and in some gardens it can pop up many metres from where it was planted. Cold winters slow it only briefly.
Bamboo is a plant that quietly causes trouble. Rhizomes and new shoots are strong enough to lift paving and patio slabs, push through gaps in walls and sheds, squeeze into drains and cracks, and push apart fences. It can crowd out other planting and spread onto a neighbour's land, which can lead to disputes. Because it is hidden below ground, the problem is often larger than it looks. Roots and shoots do the most harm near hard surfaces.
Cutting canes to the ground only deals with what you can see. The rhizomes underneath stay alive and send up fresh shoots, often stronger than before. Mowing new shoots or pulling them up may weaken the plant over time, but it needs patience and constant attention. Even a small fragment of rhizome left in the soil can grow into a new plant, which is why partial efforts so often fail. Persistence helps, but it rarely finishes the job.
The reliable method is to cut the canes, then dig out the rhizomes and roots across the whole affected area, following the runners until they end. On large stands this means heavy digging, and sometimes a machine. We take away the canes, rhizomes and soil that contain them, check the ground carefully, and return for follow-up checks, because new shoots may still appear afterwards. Waste should be disposed of properly and not composted at home. Treat the job as thorough digging, not tidying.
If you like your bamboo and just want to keep it in check, a rhizome barrier set into the ground around it can help, as can regular trimming of the edges and growing it in a large container. A barrier needs to be set deep and firmly, and checked often, because rhizomes can climb over the top. If you are unsure, ask us to look at it. A well made barrier can also help to protect a neighbouring garden.
Digging out a large bamboo stand is heavy, awkward work and easy to get wrong. If it is close to a house, drain, wall or neighbour, it is worth having a professional do it properly the first time. We look at how far it has spread and what is affected, then give a free quotation after seeing the job. Taking the waste away is included in that plan.
We will visit, tell you honestly what is needed and give you a free, no-obligation quotation.
Yes, if the rhizomes are left in the ground. Cutting the canes just removes the visible growth, and the underground stems send up new shoots. To get rid of it, the rhizomes and roots must be dug out as thoroughly as possible. Persistence matters.
It can cause trouble. Strong rhizomes may lift paving, squeeze through cracks in walls and push into gaps around drains and foundations. Damage is not certain, but bamboo growing close to buildings is a risk worth dealing with before it gets worse.
If it spreads from their garden into yours, speak to them politely first and show them what is happening. A neighbour who allows a spreading plant to cause damage may be responsible. If talking fails, your local council or a legal adviser can suggest the next step. Photographs help.
It varies with how big the stand is and how thoroughly it was dug out. Some fragments may sprout months later, so we recommend follow-up checks and removing any new shoots promptly. A careful first dig makes a huge difference. Patience in the following season pays off.
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