Rhizome / Bamboo Barrier 60 mil Thickness

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60 Mil Bamboo Barrier - Rhizome Barrier

Bamboo Barrier
at a Glance

  • Contains Bamboo Rhizomes
  • Manufactured in the USA
  • Built-In UV Stabilization
  • Made with Recyclable Materials
  • 100 year in-ground lifespan
  • Joins vertically or horizontally with HDPE Sealant Tape
  • Easy to cut with a standard utility knife
  • Deflection side is chrome rolled to provide a superior protection surface

Thickness Comparison Video

View the differences between the various thicknesses of bamboo barrier that we offer.

60mil

1/16 of an inch or 1.5 mm

Heavy-Duty
Barrier

For aggressively spreading bamboo containment applications.

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How Deep Does My Barrier Need to Be?

Typical bamboo rhizomes grow into the first 12” of soil. Rhizomes are responsible for spreading the growth of the bamboo plant. (As opposed to the bamboo’s roots which do not spread the growth of the bamboo). As a measure of caution we only sell 18” and deeper bamboo barrier. Just because typical rhizomes exist in the top 12” of soil doesn’t mean that the rhizomes can’t go deeper. Due to the fact that it takes just one rhizome to spread the plant throughout your yard it is far better to go a bit deeper with your barrier than you need to than not deep enough. The most commonly installed barrier depths that our customers install are 24” and 30”.

Please note, this is general information and certain species of bamboo planted in certain soils can send rhizomes much deeper. It is for this reason that we provide barrier options up to a maximum depth of 60” (60 mil only). Please consult a certified arborist for additional information bamboo specific growing patterns in your area.

Applications:

60 mil HDPE rhizome barrier is designed to contain bamboo and other invasive species. The 60 mil thickness provides heavy-duty protection against aggressive root systems.

Bamboo is a fantastic garden plant due to it’s ability to grow quickly and provide privacy as well as aesthetic beauty. When bamboo is left un-contained it can spread throughout a landscape providing a major maintenance issue as well as damage to hardscapes or other delicate plantings.

Our rhizome barrier is composed of heavy-duty HDPE and provides a smooth surface which acts as a very effective root-stop. The bamboo rhizomes (roots) will not penetrate the barrier but instead grow along the side of the barrier instead.

Installation:

Below are steps that are involved when installing bamboo barrier around a bamboo plant.

 

Step 1

Dig a trench on the site where you want to plant your bamboo. Remove the topsoil and the heavier sub-soil. When preparing the site, you should be careful not to create tight corners as this may result in the barrier collapsing due to unnecessary stress to the material.

 

Step 2

Dig a trench on the site where you want to plant your bamboo. Remove the topsoil and the heavier sub-soil. When preparing the site, you should be careful not to create tight corners as this may result in the barrier collapsing due to unnecessary stress to the material.

 

Step 3

Choose the correct bamboo barrier for your application. We recommend 60 mil and thicker barriers for most agressive bamboo containment applications.

 
 

Step 3

Place the bamboo barrier in the trench. The wall should stand out of the soil by at least two inches. Plastic protruding above grade is essential for preventing the rhizomes from escaping over the top without you knowing.

 
 

Step 5

Overlap the barrier by 4' and use double-sided seam tape within the overlap to ensure rhizomes cannot breach the joined pieces sections. Place a number of vertical strips within the overlap.

 
 

Step 6

Backfill the trench with subsoil first and compact it to drive out any air pockets. Then complete the backfilling with the top light soil and pack it tight. Make sure there are no sharp objects when filling up the trench, including glass, stones, metal, or tree roots.

 
 
 
 

Maintenance:

 

In order to control bamboo effectively, proper maintenance must be performed on a seasonal basis. Bamboo rhizomes spread outward from the center of the plant in either spring, summer or fall depending on your location.

Simply dig a trench around the area where the bamboo is planted, place the barrier in the trench and back-fill. Be sure to install the barrier 2” above the finish grade of the soil. This will allow the gardener to monitor and catch bamboo rhizomes that are attempting to “jump the barrier” Cut any rhizomes attempting to overgrow the barrier and remove. If this process is performed annually, the procedure should be easy due to the fact that the rhizomes are soft and easy to remove.

Shipping:

 

We offer free ground shipping on all of our bamboo barriers. Most orders ship same day if placed before 12:00 PM EST. Transit times are displayed in business days and are approximate.

Bamboo Plants - An Overview

Bamboo has been in existence for thousands of years and today it's considered one of the most popular materials used for many different products. Today, millions of consumers are purchasing products made from bamboo due to its aesthetic beauty and adaptability. It has been used in products ranging from clothing, paper, towels, utilities, window shades,  and even food! Bamboo has been a favorite in the Far East for thousands of years but has taken a while to land at the top of the list in the Western world. Gardeners and landscapers alike are incorporating bamboo in so many places due to its beautiful appeal and excellent texture. Bamboo in the United States ranges from 15 to 39 feet or 4.4 to 12m.  The varieties of bamboo are not clearly known by experts but it's enormous!

We will go over several things you might not know about bamboo and might just surprise you! There are those who believe there are only two kinds of bamboo – clumpers and runners which is far from the truth. There are literally 1,600 species. any factors that affect the growth of bamboo including open clumpers and slow runners.

Bamboo Walkway

Bamboo Lined Walkway

Runners

In general, runners are ornamental bamboo that send out rhizome roots underground looking for moisture and space. If you want a privacy hedge, the runners will work their way over the landscape making this species a perfect choice for you. Bamboo runners are very easy to find because they multiply very easily.

Take Note – be very careful planting this species of bamboo because they will take over very quickly. You might not think about runners this way until you get into the third or fourth year when both you and your neighbors discover their incredible abilities.

You and your neighbors will discover very quickly how rhizomes can seek out water and reap havoc on everything you have planted including lawns, vegetable patches, herbal gardens, and everything else you have labored over.

Options To Prevent Disasters From Runners

You need to give these runners plenty of space to spread out. If your gardening efforts consist of suburban subdivisions, this is probably not the be the choice for you. On the other hand, if you have a lot of open space then bamboo runners might meet your needs.

There are several ways to keep your bamboo well-contained.  You could bury them in a rhizome barrier or plant them into the ground using a wine barrel or half a barrel. Just keep in mind, over time there is nothing that will stop them from spreading out.

Containing Bamboo

1 - A containment might include a running bamboo physical barrier.. You can plant in containers or install a vertical barrier around the area where the bamboo will be located. The bamboo can be surrounded by a single length of plastic with only one seam.

2 – You can cut off some shoots -  Normal growth will only last for 2 weeks each spring then additional growth will take place the following spring. If the bamboo in your yard is connected to another yard, you need to cut the connecting stems which are very shallow. If you don't, they will grow again. Use a spade or saw to cut them and must be done every year. The bottom line, digging a ditch or using a barrier is the better choice.

3 – Regularly mow shoots in the lawn areas where shoots appear during the spring shooting season.

4- It might take some time to deal with bamboo runners and it's not an easy job. New shoots will come up from the rhizomes so use pruning shears. You will have to continue this process until no shoots come up.

There are many other steps you can take to stop new shoots from surfacing. If you look online, you will find many other alternatives to cut off new shoots. Keep in mind, there's practically nothing that will stop the shoots from coming back up so plant your bamboo deeply into the ground. With bamboo, time and patience are important.

Create perimeter trenches to keep bamboo from wearing out their welcome. Remember to prune the bamboo on a regular basis. This includes trimming back the shoots, going underground, and cutting back vigorous roots. Keep an eye out for smaller slower runners like those found in ground cover bamboo. Sometimes they might look slow on the surface while still building their invisible defense underground. You might want to plant some clumping bamboo instead.

Before starting this time-consuming project, make sure you have all the tools and supplies you will need. Check with your local Home Depot, garden center, or Walmart. There are many beautiful and interesting varieties of bamboo on the market and many are runners. Most are less expensive and very easy to find in nurseries. Read on to find some excellent runner bamboo to add to your gardens.

Bamboo Plants in Yard

Bamboo in Sunlight

Temple Bamboo (Semiarundinaria fastuosa)

This is an awesome bamboo known for its incredible height which can reach 20 to 30 feet. Its beautifully colored culms will not grow much more than an inch in diameter.  Many people who have Temple Bamboo have said this is a very beautiful plant with its long, straight, elegant canes. They've also said this bamboo never got out of control. In some cases, after 5 or 6 years, it was only 5 feet in diameter and only 10 feet tall. Also, this plant could be larger if you live in a warmer, rainier location.

This bamboo has only been given annual servings of compost with their sandy soil with lower levels of nutrients. One advantage, they can dig into the sand to  prune the roots. If you have this plant, don't be surprised if friends have asked for cuttings because it's that beautiful!

 

Arrow Bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica)

This bamboo got its name from its straight, long poles that were originally used by Samurai warriors to make arrows. This plant is normally planted in shady areas of the garden with excellent results. Its beautiful wide leaves create a captivating appeal. While classified as a runner,. Its a great choice for creating privacy hedges due to its beautiful thick, dense growth. It ranges in height from 12 to 16 feet which is quite impressive.

Arrow bamboo requires good watering. Unfortunately, if you live in a dry climate, this might be a good choice. This plant should be kept in a shady area with access to water runoff.

Bamboo Planted in Yard

Bamboo with Rhizome Barrier

Dwarf Green Stripe Bamboo (Pleioblastus variegatus)

There are some bamboo varieties that can be cultivated as ground cover.  This bamboo is a great choice for an accent running alongside larger bamboo and Japanese pines, to create an Asian look to your garden. Because it's smaller and compact, it's much easier to keep under control even though it is a runner but keep an eye on the roots. Unlike other striped bamboo, the stripes are on the leaves, not the canes. With its rich yellow and green colors, the more sun it gets the lighter the yellow will be and in some cases will turn white. Some gardeners will mow it back in the  winter but will come back in the spring even thicker and more vibrant in color.


Clumpers

Most ornamental bamboo are runners and gardeners are always on the lookout for a good variety of clumping bamboo. Some of the most impressive clumpers are native to the tropics of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Some are suitable for cooler environments and milder climates like California and Florida. When you take off to your favorite nursery, try to find a salesperson who is knowledgeable in bamboo to get some recommendations. Some employees cannot tell the difference between clumpers and runners. As long as clumpers are inexpensive, the more popular they will be and harder to find. You need to get in touch with someone who knows these plants.

Bambusa Oldhamii

This bamboo is considered the most popular in the United States. It's native to Taiwam and prefers tropical and subtropical climates. It can only handle temperatures as low as 25º F. Its shoots can reach up to 60 feet and diameters around 4 inches making it a very impressive bamboo, especially for a clumper.

Bambusa Oldhamii is a popular choice for privacy hedges due to its bushy leaves and dense upright canes. Its thick poles are often used for products and many consumers love the sweet taste of the shoots.

Bamboo along stairs

Stairs with Bamboo

Mexican Weeping Bamboo (Otatea acuminata)

Mexican Weeping Bamboo is an excellent choice for your garden thanks to its delicate wispyleaves and slender stalks. This plant will come to life with a gentle breeze. This bamboo prefers warmer climates but will do well in cooler coastal environments.

This adaptable bamboo can handle a variety of climates. If near the ocean, It's not affected by salty ocean sprays. In California, it can tolerate the dry air. It's native to Northern Mexico but can tolerate conditions down to  20º F. Mexican Weeping Bamboo has thin poles that will grow to 10 or 15 feet in height. Its unique look is caused by its graceful descending leaves.

Buddha’s Belly (Bambusa ventricosa)

This bamboo got its name from the bulbous shape of a part of the plant between two nodes (internodes)  where leaves appear.  Buddha's Belly is one of the most recognizable plants in the ornamental clumping family. Some of its poles grow in a zigzag manner not upright.  Its unique look draws a lot of attention to its portly belly or internodes. This bamboo does better in warmer climates.

Buddha Belly can grow to 30 feet in height with 2 to 3-inch culms. The Giant Buddha Belly can grow to 45 feet in height and the clumps will spread to 15 feet in width. The most beautiful variety of this plant is the Yellow Buddha Belly. Bambusa ventricosa kimmei offers green shoots that slowly turn yellow with beautiful striped looks. Dwarf bamboot is obviously shorter and compact. This bamboo is called Bambusa vulgarisWamin’ which is an excellent choice for bonsai options.

To get the culms to bulge out, and make the Buddha Belly more pronounced, gardeners have to pull a few tricks out of their sleeves. Pruning the bamboo at least once a year will prevent the bamboo  from growing upward instead make the plant grow outward and zigzagged. Cutting off a little water will cause just enough stress to createa more bulbous culms. If the culms are not taking on the bulbous belly look, try watering once a week instead of twice a week or even less if necessary. 
  

View of Tall Bamboo

Looking up at Bamboo Forest

Bambusa multiplexAlphonse Karr’ is a very elegant variety that is easily recognized for its green and yellow stripes. If you have a large collection of various bamboos, this plan will stand out from the crowd. In perfect conditions, it can grow to 20 feet in height and the culmswill be 1 inch in diameter.

Alphonse Karr is a slow growing plant but a chosen favorite for  hedging due to its lovely poles. To highlight its colorful stripes, prune back all the leaves from the bottom of the plant. This plant is native to tropical and subtropical Asia. And prefers warm climates. Stay away from plating this bamboo i USDA zones below 7 or 8 .

Himalayan Blue (Himalayacalamus hookerianus)

Also called Blue Bamboo is known for its powder blue culms This beautiful Bamboo is native to the mountains and foothills of China. This plant enjoys cooler climates unlike other clumpers. This bamboo will not do well in hot areas like the deep south.

 

This is a graceful plant in the clumping family with its slender blue canes. The cums grow ti 1 inch in width and coated  with a thick wax giving it  a blue-gray appearance. It will start off in a deep purple hue and turn to a yellow-orange in sunny locations. The leaves are bright green on the surface and dark green on the bottom. This is a non-invasive plant that is easy to grow.  Its hardy zone is 32 to 23 23° F. This bamboo is great for creating hedges and grows very well in containers. The culms are harvested for weaving baskets and mats. This might be an excellent catch if you are planning on starting a small shop to sell bamboo products, including baskets and mats!.

Bamboo in planter box

Planter Box with Bamboo

Bamboo fountain with water

Bamboo Fountain

In Conclusion

There are so many varieties of bamboo it can be daunting when deciding what will work best for you and/or your property. Bamboos come in an incredible array of colors and characteristics. Decide if you can work with bamboos that is invasive or those that pretty much mind their own business.

Before you can decide which bamboo plants you want for your garden, you must consider how much space you have and what you intend to use the bamboo for.. Decide if you want something compact and decorative or something that will quickly spread and work really well for added privacy. Keep in mind, some varieties of bamboo are quite large and will take up a great deal of space so don't just jump in, way everything and choose wisely.

You must read up on choosing the right bamboo to get a good idea what is best for your surroundings. Baaed on what you need, decide if you need runners or clumpers. Do you want something very tall or compact? You might want to get a variety of bamboo and create a wonderful space that will be enjoyed and admired by one and all.

If you have a lot of space and room, knock yourself out and get the  best varieties you want to call your own. Once you have decided which bamboo you want to plant, make sure you read up and understand what each variety needs to remain healthy and strong. This can take a lot of work so show some caution before purchasing a wide range of plants.



When planting your bamboo, think about the day when you can sit back, listen to a gentle breeze blowing through these awesome plants and listen to the knocking of the canes and leaves rustling through your new world. You will find the incentive needed to get the job done sooner than you might think.

Bamboo Sprouting

Bamboo Sprouts Shooting Up

Reviews

  • 5
    Rhizome Barrier

    Posted by Randy on Jul 30th 2022

    Really nice stuff. This was no hassle ordering and delivering. Thank you team, will order again.