Bamboo is a versatile plant with many uses in landscaping construction, and crafting. When selecting bamboo for your garden, one of the first decisions is whether to choose running bamboo or clumping bamboo. These two types have very different growth habits invasiveness, and uses.
Overview of Running Bamboo
Running bamboo, also known as monopodial bamboo, spreads aggressively via horizontal underground stems called rhizomes. Each rhizome can send up new shoots far from the original plant, colonizing a large area. Popular running bamboo species include golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea), maze bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), and arrow bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica).
Overview of Clumping Bamboo
Clumping bamboo, also called sympodial bamboo, forms tight clumps that expand slowly. The rhizomes are short, staying close to the parent plant. New culms emerge within the clump rather than spreading far. Common clumping bamboo species include Alphonse Karr (Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’), bamboo fence (Bambusa dolichomerithalla), and umbrella plant (Fargesia murielae).
Growth Rate
Running bamboo spreads rapidly, advancing 30-100 cm outward each year via rhizomes. Clumping bamboo expands much slower at 10-30 cm annually. The rhizomes are short and stay contained.
Invasiveness
Running bamboo is highly invasive, spreading far and wide from the original plant. The extensive rhizome system allows it to pop up unpredictably. Clumping bamboo generally stays in a neat clump with minimal unwanted spread.
Uses
Running bamboo is useful for quick erosion control. The fast-spreading rhizomes quickly stabilize soil. Clumping bamboo suits decorative pots and borders. The tidy, non-invasive clumps integrate into garden beds nicely. Both work for screens and barriers. Runners give quick, dense coverage while clumpers offer more controlled growth.
Cold Tolerance
Established running bamboo tolerates cold better, surviving down to -20°C for some species Clumping bamboo like Fargesia is less hardy with rhizomes damaged by ground frost Careful siting and winter mulching improves survival.
Appearance
Running bamboo forms extensive groves with culms placed randomly for a natural look. Clumping bamboo grows in neat circular groups with new shoots emerging from the base. The tidy habit gives clumpers an ornamental look.
Height Potential
Running bamboo commonly exceeds 5 m, with some giant timber species reaching 18 m tall. Clumping bamboo is typically shorter, ranging from under 2 m to around 5 m maximum. Their energy goes into rhizome expansion rather than upward height.
Root Barriers
Running bamboo requires sturdy below-ground barriers to contain spread. Barriers should be installed 1 m deep. With clumping bamboo, barriers are only needed in very restricted spaces since clumps expand slowly.
Maintenance
Running bamboo needs frequent pruning and thinning to control spread. Clumping bamboo requires little maintenance once established. Occasional division of congested clumps may be necessary.
Planting Considerations
Allow ample room for running bamboo to grow into its massive potential size. Clumping bamboo fits better in small gardens since clumps expand slowly and are easier to contain.
Cost
Running bamboo starts cheaper since it propagates readily. But maintenance and containment adds hidden long-term expense. Clumping bamboo costs more initially but has lower upkeep needs with minimal risk of escaping.
Availability
Many running bamboo types are widely available. Clumping bamboo has a smaller selection to choose from when shopping at nurseries and retailers.
Pros of Running Bamboo
- Rapid growth provides quick, dense screens and erosion control
- Natural, wild appearance in unrestricted growth
- Lower initial cost for younger plants
- Greater cold hardiness when established
- Tall height potential
Cons of Running Bamboo
- Highly invasive, spreads extensively without containment
- Difficult and costly to control long-term
- Requires frequent pruning and thinning
- Not recommended for small gardens
- Risk of damage to structures and pavement
Pros of Clumping Bamboo
- Predictable, non-invasive, contained growth habit
- Neat appearance for ornamental plantings
- Good for small gardens and restricted areas
- Stays contained with minimal maintenance
- Fewer long-term management needs
Cons of Clumping Bamboo
- Slower growth rate, fills in gradually
- Less cold tolerant than running types
- Shorter height potential
- Rhizome congestion may require division
- Smaller selection available
Key Differences Summary
When choosing between running vs clumping bamboo, consider factors like space, climate hardiness, speed, and maintenance. Pick running bamboo for quick tropical effects and erosion control. For tidy ornamental clumps, non-invasive containment, and small areas, clumping bamboo is better. Carefully weigh their different characteristics and growth habits.
Running and clumping bamboo both have their pros and cons. While they look similar initially, their spreading behaviors, ideal uses, maintenance needs, and traits like height and cold tolerance differ markedly. Consider your climate, garden size, goals, and commitment to pruning and containment. An informed choice will lead to bamboo success and enjoyment for years to come.
CLUMPING, NON-INVASIVE
The easiest way to visualise a clumping bamboo is to think of the common Golden Cane Palm. Golden Cane Palms have multiple stems coming out from the ground but they are clumped together forming one round plant. Clumping bamboo, as opposed to running bamboo, grow the same way. They produce short, individual rhizomes that grow out of the soil and up into individual culms (bamboo poles), forming a round clump of culms.
The growing tip of the bamboo shoots is very shallow and near the surface, and can physically only produce one culm per rhizome, not like a running bamboo that spreads everywhere. Clumping bamboo cannot physically run and will stay put in the clump where you plant the original bamboo.
There are many different types of clumping bamboo species and they all vary in clump size, height, colour and thickness of culm. For example some species form a clump of one metre round in diameter so are great for narrow screening, as opposed to some larger or loose species that can form up to a 4m diameter footprint – making it essential you get the right advice in selecting the most suitable bamboo for your needs!
A great analogy for this is walking into a pet shop to purchase a puppy – are you wanting a Chihuahua or a Great Dane? They both have a certain size they will stop growing at but this differs greatly – just like clumping bamboo! We can help you choose the right bamboo for your needs and know all the right questions to make this an easy task!
RUNNING VS
Running Bamboo vs Clumping Bamboo: Know your species
FAQ
Is clumping or running bamboo better?
Surprisingly, Peter actually recommends running bamboos over clumping bamboos in some situations. “We always tell people to watch out with clumping bamboos because a clumping bamboo’s going to create a circular pressure. If you’ve got a contained area, usually a running bamboo is better.”
How can I tell if my bamboo is running or clumping?
Check for a sulcus. A sulcus is a groove running up the side of the internode just above the branches. If that grove is present, then it is likely a runner of either the Phyllostachys or Semiarundinaria genera. In Phyllostachys, the groove is very obvious, running the length of the internode.
What are the negatives of clumping bamboo?
Clumpers cannot easily adjust their circular shape to a long, narrow space, and height of culms may be limited if too small a space is allowed for the roots.
How invasive is running bamboo?
Bamboo is only expansive on a small localized scale because viable spreading only occurs from the root system. Control the root system, and you control bamboo. You don’t have to worry about the elements, animals, or insects spreading bamboo.
What is the difference between clumping bamboo and running bamboo?
Clumping bamboo displays pachymorph or sympodial components to their rhizome structure. Meaning that each rhizome turns upward to form a culm. Running bamboo exhibit leptomorph or monopodial rhizomes. This is characterized by an independent underground stem from which aerial culms develop.
Are clumpers better than running bamboo?
Running bamboo provides a quick, dense screen while clumpers offer a neater, more controlled option. Many running bamboos tolerate cold better than clumpers. For example, phyllostachys species can survive temperatures down to -20°C once established. Clumping bamboos like Fargesia are less cold hardy. Ground frost can damage or kill the rhizomes.
What if running bamboo took over the world?
If running bamboo were going to take over the world, it would have done so thousands of years ago. There are running species (temperate cold hardy, Leptomorph) of bamboo which we love and there are clumping (Pachymorph) species. These species are commonly defined by their rooting (rhizome) characteristics.
Is bamboo a clumping plant?
At Bamboo Bioproducts, we use a clumping bamboo species named Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris which is non-invasive, and the predominant bamboo species resident in Jamaica. Running bamboo rhizomes tend to extend outward and away from the main plant. Running bamboos have long rhizomes that quickly spread in an unpredictable direction.
What are the different types of running bamboo?
Some popular running bamboo species include Phyllostachys, Pseudosasa, and Sasa. Once you have your bamboo in the ground, proper maintenance can help keep it in check and looking its best. Pruning is essential to maintaining the health and appearance of both clumping and running bamboo.
Is clumping bamboo a good choice?
While clumping bamboo is manageable, one downside is its slower growth rate compared to running varieties. If you’re looking for rapid coverage or a quick privacy solution, you may find clumping bamboo less satisfying. 2. Limited Heights