looking to plant a bamboo - where to buy?

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1
Hello!

I am looking to plant some bamboos in our terrace but I don't know where in Zurich can I buy it. So I am looking for “Gartencenter” or “Baumschulen” as I am also interested in some other plants which will make our terrace look even prettier.

Does anyone know any garden centers that sell bamboo? Google helps, but not enough

Thanks.

2
We bought some a year or 2 back from Jumbo. Have you tried searching directories.ch?

If you fancy a 40 minute drive (or train journey) out of Zurich to Ziegelbrücke, Gruenenfelder is a fantastic garden centre. They even managed to supply us with Pro-Specie Rara fruit trees. Staff are very knowledgable and helpful.

3
Most garden places sell these. Be careful on the type you get, some you have to install a barrier to stop them spreading. The barrier alone will set you back about 100chf.

4
The best place I have come across for Bamboo varieties is the large Hauenstein Garten center in Rafz. You could also check out Wyss Garten center in Volketswil as it too is good.. OBI in Volketswil has a large garden center too although I prefer Wyss.

I must say Jumbo quality is very good - the plants and shrubs I bought from there are all thriving. Jumbo is also the least expensive.

5
If you aren't sure about your bamboo, better to grow it in a pot...

you need a 'clumping' bamboo rather than a 'running bamboo'...

otherwise in a year's time you will have a complete disaster on your hands - bamboo is extremely difficult to remove once it 'runs' wild...

6
Methinks that the OP doesn't intend to plant them bambooze "in" the terrace, but I suppose that the plan is to decorate the terrace and therefore pots / vases will be taken into consideration.

I would stick to the long / rectangular variety, preferrably in terracotta - because of the inherent aesthetics and because it supposedly holds humidity better.

A previous poster's counsel to plant "clumping" bamboo is indeed quite correct. A friend of mine planted running bamboo in his garden, "walled in" underground with a concrete barrier. Now his bamboo groove is dying of soil exhaustion as the running variety is too aggressive and tends to deplete soil nutrients too fast. Food for thought!

Paul

7
Thanks for your answers.

I will check some of those Gardencenters and I hope I will get some advises about raising bamboo in a pot.

I hope it will grow well.

...I just bought an olive tree and bay laurel and now I am ready for some bamboos