Fred, sorry to hear about your aggravation! That sucks! People just don't know when then have it so good... I can't thank you enough for the beautiful, beautiful boos you sent. They are doing wonderful and seem to really love the FL sun! If you happen to come across any more wayward tropical clumpers that are looking for a good home, just let me know! I would be THRILLED to keep my word and send you postage in advance! I would especially be especially thrilled if you happen to have any b. multiplex textilis dwarf. I've only recently started seeing this advertised around here and the couple of growers I've spoken to say it's just too early to know if it will really remain dwarf (under 20 feet) down here. Do you know anything about this one? Thanks, Helen

Width is a factor, but this is going to be an issue with any plant I choose, bamboo or not. I was planning on spacing them about 5 feet apart horizontally but staggering them a couple feet front to back to give them a hair more room while still keeping the closer spacing horizontally. I think this will also give them a less "placed" look. But honestly, I have no idea. All the bamboos I've grown have been in pots. That's why I asked what the spacing ought to be and how long to fill in horizontally :). Regarding height, I was thinking a roughly 35 foot "max" bamboo would be perfect. This would not be so tall that its out of place if it hit its max, and if it ended up being a little shorter it would still be fine for screening (the main goal here). Sunburst really is beautiful. It is a tad more expensive. I don't mind paying a little extra for something extra beautiful. The area is too large to go nuts on cost, but I think a little extra is worth it in the long run. We'll be staring at a lot of this stuff for years to come! The division technique is really interesting and I hadn't considered it at all. What pot size is appropriate for this? I have also been looking at B. multiplex v 'Silver Stripe'. I can get a 7g pot for the same price as a 3g pot of sunburst. Its also really pretty and I know the multiplexes seem to do really well around here. Budget wise we are hoping to spend $1000 or under. I think this is reasonable but I'm having a hard time getting a good answer on proper spacing, which of course can dramatically change the number of plants I need. There is a little play in the budget if a little bit more could get us something really nice (or if I'm just off on the cost). Hopefully though I've budgeted way too much for this project. Hey there's always a first time! :)

Good call botanicalbill. I was going to suggest Malingensis as well. I work with bamboo professionally in Florida and Malingensis is our number one hedge seller. It grows so straight and tall and can take heavy winds and salt tolerant, supposedly, more than other boos. Only one difference in opinion with botanicalbill, in regards to multiplex. I'm in the same zone and climate and all multiplex grows fine here. Great list of species with Multiplex. Now, since your temperature rarely dips below 45, you are so lucky. Your choices are more varied with that zone. I think you might like Vulgaris Vittata. Grows thick, very bushy, prettier than Malingensis, and although Malingensis is more cold tolerant, 15 degrees versus 25 degrees, you'll be fine with that species. Another advantage, Vulgaris vittata is cheaper to buy and grows faster. And It makes great poles for timber. Vulgaris Vittata is yellow with green stripes, and if you're lucky, an inverse cane will grow. You can then propagate from that pole and have a green bamboo with yellow stripes. Can't do that with Malingensis.

Look at some of the B. multiplexes. A 25 foot tall culm will probably only be about 1.5 inches in diameter though. Here are a few green ones: B. multiplex HEDGE BAMBOO B. multiplex 'Goldstripe' B. multiplex 'Midori Green' GREEN ALPHONSE B. textilis 'Dwarf' There are others, but they are yellow with green striped culms and some with blue culms, etc. Bamboo may lean outward at the tops more than 5 feet also. In areas that I have limited space, I simply tie a rope around the culms when they are young and cinch the rope up tight. You can leave the rope on or remove it later on after the culms harden a bit, leaving them very erect. B. multiplex 'Golden Goddess' is listed to grow to 10 feet in height, but mine has reached 15 feet which may be tall enough for you. Kt