I have bamboo for privacy in my overlooked garden but now it’s invaded my neighbour’s decking – it’s a total nightmare
A BRIT has revealed her bamboo “nightmare” after a neighbour has insisted she pour diesel over her plants.
The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, has found that her privacy bamboo fence has started spreading underground and ripping up her neighbours decking.
She has the plants in her garden to give some privacy to her “overlooked” garden.
Bamboo can be a problematic choice for British gardens due to its often aggressive growth habits.
Once established, it can take over large areas of a garden by growing quickly and being extremely difficult to remove.
In our wet British climate, bamboo thrives and can spread into unwanted areas like lawns or neighbouring gardens.
That’s the exact problem one green-fingered Brit is facing.
“I’m having massive issues with my neighbours,” she said.
“My bamboo is spreading under the fence into her garden underneath their new decking.
“We have the bamboo for privacy as the garden is so overlooked.
“She has told me I need to remove all of it, dig it out and pour diesel over it.”
The fast-growing underground stems of bamboo can cause damage to garden structures, fences, patios and even drainage systems.
It is notoriously difficult to contain and remove due to this.
Removing bamboo once it has spread requires digging out deep roots, which can be very costly and even ruin other parts of your garden.
The worried Brit took to Facebook in search of advice to fix her problem – and the responses were far from ideal.
“You messed up big time,” one person warned.
The Most Invasive Plants in the UK
Several non-native species have been introduced to the UK over the years. These are the most problematic plants to look out for in your garden.
Japanese Knotweed
It is an offence against the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act to grow Japanese Knotweed.
It might not be poisonous, it is extremely fast-growing and can seriously damage buildings, paving and structures.
Giant Hogweed
It might look rather attractive, but Giant Hogweed can be pretty dangerous.
The plant’s sap is toxic and can cause burns or blisters if it comes into contact with the skin.
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam is another plant you need to keep your eyes on.
It produces an array of pretty pink flowers, but one plant is said to be able to spread 2,500 seeds, that are “launched” over a distance of seven metres.
And like other invasive plants, Himalayan Balsam wipes out other plants, growing up to three metres high, drawing out sunlight for smaller plants.
New Zealand Pigmyweed
New Zealand Pigmyweed is an aquatic plant that can cause havoc in still water, such as lakes and ponds or even slow moving water, such as canals.
It also impacts animals, such as frogs, fish and newts, as it can form a dense mat on the water’s surface, therefore starving the water of oxygen.
Rhododendron
An incredibly beautiful plant, loved my many gardeners, but the Rhododendron is technically classed as an invasive specie due to its rapid growth in woodlands.
Unlike other invasive species mentioned on this list, it’s not recommended to completely remove or kill Rhododendrons but instead take extra care to manage their growth, trimming and pruning them regularly.
“The wrong kind of bamboo, unrestrained, will run riot, and that’s what’s happened here,” a second gardening whizz explained.
“It will be a long process to deal with that.
“Note for next time to get the clumping variety.
“And, to be extra safe, get it in really strong containers that the roots can’t break through.”