Some people may not know that bamboo is basically just an overgrown form of grass. It can vary from a dwarf variety of about 1 foot high, to gigantic varieties that may grow up to and over 100 feet. Bamboo can grow in a variety of different climates and locations, from high altitudes on mountains to the hot steamy jungle.

There are two types of bamboo: runners and clumpers. Runners spread quickly and as far as they possibly can go. Clumpers expand more slowly from the original plant. Other varieties are a combination of both runners and clumpers. Generally speaking if bamboo is growing in a tropical climate, it will probably be of the clumping variety. Runners tend to grow in more temperate climates.

Bamboo is often thought of in reference to giant pandas and it is very common in the panda's environment. However, there are multiple uses for bamboo, both decorative and useful. In some parts of the world, it is used for animal feed and as construction material. It can also be used for a variety of items, including furniture, musical instruments, paper, kitchen implements and even as a medicine that has been used for hundreds of years.

Bamboo is a very attractive plant to grow in your garden. There are many varieties and you can choose from these depending on your climate and what exactly you want from bamboo. Caring for bamboo is very easy. It does need quite a bit of water, so if you are having a dry season, you may have to water more than usual. You can find varieties of bamboo that do well in every condition from full sun to full shade. It is even self-mulching, since as its leaves drop off, they may be left on the ground near the plant as mulch. Plants usually gain their maximum height in the first year and each following year they will branch out more and become "fuller". One of the great advantages of bamboo is its remarkably quick growing rate.

Since bamboo can be used for so many of the same uses that hardwoods can, it will end up saving many trees all over the world. For example, a 60 foot hardwood tree can take up to 60 years to replace. A 60 foot bamboo plant only takes around 60 days to replace! Therefore, it makes more sense to use bamboo for as much as possible, since it so much faster to grow and has so many uses. Bamboo is a common plant in many parts of the world, but it is one which most people don't give a second thought too. It is a vital plant to many country's economies and may even help save the environment as a replacement for the slower growing hardwoods.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Bamboo