Running Bamboo
Running Bamboo is a versatile and fast-growing plant that offers many benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects. Its unique characteristics and practical attributes make it popular for enhancing outdoor spaces with aesthetic and functional advantages.
A running bamboo is a type of plant that will grow outwards almost as quickly as it will grow upwards. Although mostly an ornamental plant, it does serve a number of purposes within a given landscape. Let's take a closer look at what this plant looks like and the specific reasons you'll want to have it on your property.
The Physical Attributes of Running Bamboo
It will typically have a golden stalk from which a series of green leaves will shoot out from the top. The trees that you see will shoot from stalks that grow horizontally along the ground, which is why they are referred to as runners.
How Fast Does Running Bamboo Grow
You can see several inches or feet of vertical growth per season, much of which takes place in the spring or early summer. It can also grow horizontally up to 10 feet in a single season. If you are in a rural area, this may not cause any issues with neighbors or local authorities. However, if you live in a typical neighborhood, you may want to consider adding a barrier to prevent runaway growth.
What Is Running Bamboo Used For
This type of plant can be used for a variety of purposes, such as adding some color to a garden or to edge your garden, driveway, or other landscape components. You can also use it as a privacy screen or to help dampen noise coming from a neighbor's house, highway, or other sources. It can also be used to help reclaim or revitalize a landscape after a weather event or years of neglect.
Running Bamboo Can Be Used as Pet Food
Creatures such as rabbits or guinea pigs can use the shoots of this plant for nourishment. However, you probably won't see deer, rodents, or other creatures that typically exist in a suburban setting flocking to your tree, which may help to ensure its long-term survival.
