A new development is nearing completion over the road from me. The developer was talking to me about what they will plant in large planter boxes at the back of the row of new houses. These will be on concrete and he needs plants to screen the back fence, but not too bushy. He wants to plant bamboo but I have never seen any birds use bamboo. Birds in Backyards says the Australian reed-warbler uses bamboo thickets but there is no water or reed warblers around here (apart from the former creek which is now in a concrete drain).
I am next to the proposed Greenway, so we have some planted bush we would like the development to connect with. Its been suggested to me that wattles to provide quick coverage planted together with a local leptospermum would be a good solution, but I would like some confirmation that bamboo would not provide habitat.
Thanks,
Chris ===============================
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Two species are native, one in the Top End. I’ve “Bambusa arnhemicus” growing in my garden and so far it’s behaved itself.
Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell, NT 0832 043 8650 835
PhD candidate, SCU Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia Nominated for the Condé Nast international ecotourism award, 2004 by the renowned American website, Earthfoot. Wildlife Adviser, BBC¹s Deadly 60¹
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Just for the record, I spent several hundred dollars last year on the eradication of bamboo from my back garden – a huge job, but a very grateful neighbour.
Regards Shirley
Although I would recommend planting natives in preference to bamboo, in addition to the bird species mentioned by Philip, I have observed Silvereyes and Red-browed Firetails forage and/or shelter in bamboo clumps around Sydney.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW
I think the bottom line is that bamboo is an invasive weed that has virtually no ecological benefits in Australia. It can be quite difficult to get rid of if it gets away.
Regards, Laurie.
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Hi Chris I’m an old bush regenerator and know that bamboo provides a habitat for nothing because it doesn’t flower- it’s in the grass family. Running bamboo is a terrible weed and if that’s what they were going to plant it would be out of the pot before you could blink an eye. Go for bottlebruhes, tea tree and wattle. Honeyeaters love the bottlebruhes and you may be lucky enough to get some rosellas or king parrots in after the wattle seed. They will take about 3 years to mature but well worth it. Cheers Chris
Christine Melrose 0407705140 cmelrose099@gmail.com
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