HOW TO MAKE SOME RAPID SCREENING IN THE GARDEN.
On the southern side of the house, we live in is a wonderful large covered terrace. It was basically the main reason why we chose to rent this house. Being able to stay outside as much as possible when you have the chance like here in Texas was a key point on the wish list for the whole family.
The covered part of the terrace has lawn on two sides and had no kind of insight shielding from the street or shade from the low and warm afternoon sun to the west. My project now is to get the covered part of the terrace to become more secluded and a little more private.
The main idea was to achieve some sheltering and privacy from the street and emphasize the feeling of a screened room.
To quickly create this bamboo is a relatively inexpensive and yet exciting solution.
Bamboo can very roughly be divided into two types: clump-forming or running.
Since the only garden centre I had found two weeks after I arrived from Norway had some big pots on sale, I purchased them. There were no names on the pots, and those freezing helpers at the garden centre had no idea what it was called.
I think it is Arundinaria gigantea, Giant cane. It is a native specie to Texas. The only native bamboo in the US, actually.
The best with bamboos is the mild (though graphically) but slightly spiky appearance. Bamboo gives a silky, whispering sound in wind and sunlight almost sparkles on the leaves.
The serious problem with bamboo types that are runners is that they quickly spread aggressively and are difficult to keep under control. The runners can travel some feet underground, then establish themselves eg. on the neighbour side of the fence. Not good at all!
To prevent the spread of bamboo beyond our control, they were planted in large tough plastic tubs with drainage holes in the bottom. The plastic edge sticking a few inches up out of the ground so that we can easily see any runners escaping.
I have to find a way to cover up the plastic edges later on.
