Planted as a privacy screen or in tropical-themed gardens, spreading bamboo is extremely invasive in a range of climates. It easily escapes its intended placement and spreads to form an impenetrable network of roots and heavy leaf litter.   

A very beautiful plant which is nothing like a classic bamboo: it is a mass of long slender leaves which drape over multiple layers of themselves. Himalayan Weeping is best positioned in a cool position protected from full day sun. It is a small bamboo with narrow culms and a small footprint. It grows to 2.5m height in most circumstances and like most bamboo can be maintained to desired height and density.

 

Due to its relatively small stature, this is a great variety to grow in containers in a sheltered position.

With its tall straight manner, graceful leaves and ever changing green/blue-hued culms this is a stunning clumping bamboo. Gracilis is also an extremely fast grower to 5 to 6m and, with adequate moisture, will grow in a wide range of situations including coastal areas.

 

Gracilis can be used as a large screening plant for privacy against the double story next door or planted in a small courtyard as a specimen. This is one of the best varieties to manipulate to the form you want; keep it as a lush blanket of foliage, prune to the required height or cut and remove most of the culms for a minimalistic look.  A ladder is not required to prune: simply grab hold of a culm at head height, pull it down and cut to the desired height, let it go, and it will spring up more vertical than before.