If you're after a fast-growing, beautiful, and natural way to block out your neighbours or add some lush green privacy, bamboo might be your new best friend.
Forget old-school fences—bamboo gives you instant height, a tropical feel, and year-round greenery without taking up too much space. Plus, it grows fast. Like, really fast.
In this blog, we’ll break down which bamboo varieties are best for screening, how to plant them, and how to keep them tidy and under control.
🌿 Why Bamboo Makes an Excellent Screen
Here’s why bamboo is a top choice for privacy hedging:
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Fast-growing – Some varieties can shoot up over a metre per year
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Evergreen – Stays lush and green all year round
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Space-efficient – Great for narrow garden beds and tight spots
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Low maintenance – Once established, bamboo is drought-tolerant and low-fuss
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Noise and wind blocking – Dense canes help absorb sound and filter breezes
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Stylish – Works with tropical, coastal, Asian-inspired, or even modern minimalist gardens
🎋 Best Bamboo Varieties for Screening
Not all bamboos are created equal. Some will stay compact and upright, while others can sprawl or become invasive. Here's what we recommend for screening:
1. Gracilis Bamboo (Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’)
Also known as Slender Weavers Bamboo, this is hands down Australia’s most popular screening bamboo.
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Height: 6–8m
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Spacing: 1–1.5m apart
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Form: Upright and narrow
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Clumping: Yes (non-invasive)
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Perfect for: Tight garden beds, fence lines, poolside privacy
✅ Best choice for Brisbane, Sydney, and most Australian climates.
2. Chinese Dwarf Bamboo (Bambusa guangxiensis)
Shorter and denser than Gracilis, ideal for lower hedges.
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Height: 2–4m
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Spacing: 1m apart
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Form: Bushy with soft foliage
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Clumping: Yes (non-invasive)
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Perfect for: Townhouse courtyards, patios, balconies
3. Goldstripe Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex ‘Goldstripe’)
Fast-growing and tolerant of almost any condition. It gets tall quickly and holds its shape well.
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Height: 3–6m
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Spacing: 1–1.2m apart
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Form: Dense, upright
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Clumping: Yes
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Perfect for: Windbreaks, acoustic barriers, long driveways
🌱 How to Plant Bamboo for a Screen
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Pick the right spot:
Bamboo loves full sun to part shade. Make sure it gets at least a few hours of sun daily. -
Dig a wide trench:
About twice the width of the root ball, 40–50cm deep. Backfill with premium soil mixed with compost. -
Space properly:
Most screening bamboos do best planted 1–1.5 metres apart depending on variety and how fast you want full coverage. -
Water well:
Water deeply when first planted and regularly for the first 6–12 weeks. -
Mulch:
Keep roots cool and moist with a 5–10cm layer of mulch around the base.
✂️ How to Maintain Bamboo (Without It Taking Over)
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Choose clumping varieties only. These grow outward in a tight clump and won’t invade your whole garden.
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Trim once or twice a year to shape and encourage bushy growth.
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Remove older canes (about every 2–3 years) to keep the plant looking fresh.
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Fertilise in spring with a slow-release fertiliser for greener, faster growth.
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Contain if needed: In small gardens, install a root barrier or grow bamboo in trough planters.
⚠️ Avoid running bamboo varieties unless you really know what you’re doing—they can spread aggressively.
🛒 Shop Our Top Screening Bamboo
We stock all the best bamboo varieties for screening, including Gracilis, Goldstripe, and Chinese Dwarf. Whether you want 200mm pots or advanced 300mm+ plants for instant impact, we’ve got you covered.
All orders backed by our 30-Day Healthy Plant Guarantee and fast delivery across Australia.