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Could someone please explain the difference between running and clumping bamboo? I plan to add some bamboo to my landscape, but I would like it to be easy to maintain.

Basically running (monopodial) bamboos grow long rhizomes (like a root) under ground, which look similar to bamboo culms (poles) with several sections or nodes. these can spread long distances and grow new culms or new rhizomes at every internode (joint between sections). a sigle rhizome may grow many culms plus many rhizomes over time. These can produce new culms very long distances from the mother plant. Clumping (sympodial) bamboos produce culms very close the mother plant. Their growth area is limited because each rhizome produced grows into a single culm. The growth of clumping bamboos is much more predictable. There are several differnces in the growth behavior of each type. Clumping bamboos grow faster when young than runners. Running bamboos are very invasive and difficult to control or eradicate. Clumping bamboos are non-invasive.

i was told that clumping bamboos were not cold tolerant and suitable only for tropical climates. i do get a freeze once in a while but i would like to grow some bamboo in my back yard. how 'invasive are the running bamboos.

most running bamboos originate from very cold climates and can be grown quite good in cold, temperate or subtropical climates while clumping bamboos frequently grow in rainforest and tropical climates. This is probably the reason for the confusion. However here are many species of clumping bamboo that ARE cold tolerant. a few originating in the high mountain country of southern China, can tolerate temperature of -4 degrees F. You can find several species that can tolerate the Florida climate and thrive. Running bamboo is VERY invasive. methods required to contain the running bamboo include: adjacent roadway with frequent traffic, adjacent river or creek, impervious barrier such as concrete or rubber buried in the groud between 2 to 5 feet deep (depending on species). they can send runners in every direction crossing fences, under sidewalks and foundations. I would definitely not plant a running bamboo in my yard. They are beutiful plants but easily grow out of control.

thanks for the warning. can you tell me the names of some that are more cold tolerant?

sure, here is a partial list: Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa blumeana, Bambusa eutuldoides, Banbusa Malingensis, Bambusa multiplex (several varieties), Bambusa olhamii, Bambusa Textilis, Bambusa tuldoides, Bambusa ventricosa, Dendrocalamopsis strictus, Fargesia spathacea.
Find a longer list here:[url:2knfgbc8]floridabambooforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16[/url]