Why Choose Bamboo for Hedging?

• Fast Growth: Bamboo matures quickly, often growing over 1.5m in the first year.
• Privacy & Screening: Densely growing foliage offers excellent natural privacy.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, bamboo needs minimal upkeep.
• Resilient: Withstands heat, cold, wind, and Melbourne’s variable climate.
• Sustainable: A renewable, eco-friendly alternative to timber or synthetic fences.
  
  

Step 1: Preparing the Soil

Proper soil prep is key to establishing a healthy bamboo hedge.

• Clear the area of weeds, grass, or existing plants. Use an organic weed spray if needed.
• Cultivate the soil to a depth of around 25cm using a spade or rotary tiller.
• Enrich the soil with compost or organic matter to improve structure and fertility.
• Level the surface with a rake to ensure even planting conditions.

Tip: Healthy, aerated soil helps bamboo roots establish faster and stronger.

Step 2: Making out the hedge Line

Carefully laying out your bamboo hedge ensures balanced spacing and strong growth.

• Use timber stakes and string lines to mark the hedge’s shape and boundaries.
• Plant clumping bamboo canes at 70cm intervals to achieve an effective screen.
• Use a tape measure to maintain consistent spacing for a uniform appearance.

Correct spacing prevents overcrowding and reduces future maintenance issues.

Step 3: Planting the Bamboo

Now it’s time to plant your hedge.

• Dig holes deep and wide enough for each plant’s entire root ball.
• Do not disturb the root ball—this is crucial for bamboo to take hold.
• Plant at the same depth the bamboo was growing in its pot.
• Build a raised soil ring around each plant to help retain water.
• Water each cane twice thoroughly after planting to support early root development.

Initial watering and root protection help prevent transplant shock.

Step 4: Establishing Your Bamboo Hedge

Support early growth with regular care during the first 12 months.

• Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Keep soil moist but not soggy.
• Apply a slow-release fertiliser in spring and again in late summer.
• Supplement with liquid seaweed feeds to stimulate strong, healthy growth.

With good conditions, your bamboo hedge can reach up to 2 metres in height within its first growing season.

Step 5: Shaping and Maintaining the Hedge

Ongoing maintenance helps your hedge remain lush, tidy, and well-shaped.

• Stake new shoots lightly in their second season to guide direction and fill gaps.
• Prune lower canes if needed to create a clean base line.
• Thin out old canes occasionally to allow new growth to flourish.
• Regularly trim and fertilise to avoid legginess and maintain a dense profile.

Proper shaping ensures the hedge looks attractive and performs as a privacy barrier.

Essential Tools & Materials

Best Bamboo Varieties for Hedging in Melbourne

At Red Cloud Bamboo, we recommend these top-performing clumping bamboo varieties for Melbourne’s climate:

• Bambusa multiplex – Tough and compact, ideal for narrow spaces.
• Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’ – Graceful and upright, a classic screening choice.
• Fargesia spp. – Cold-tolerant and non-invasive, perfect for shadier sites.

Ready to Grow Your Own Bamboo Hedge?

Discover the incredible world of bamboo and unlock its limitless potential. Join us at Red Cloud Bamboo, your trusted partner in all things bamboo.

Call us on 03 9551 8559 or visit our Red Cloud Bamboo blog to learn more. Let’s embrace the resilience, privacy, and beauty of bamboo together “one hedge at a time.”