Welcome to the world of bamboo! I have purchased nearly all my plants from mail-order sources (either ebay or bamboo specialty nurseries). I have purchased repeatedly from the following sources: Tradewinds Bamboo (based in Oregon, Lewis Bamboo (based in Alabama), and Burt Associates (based in Masachusettes). By the way, NYC and local environs are considered zone 7a. This winter, I have overwintered the following species in containers: Phyllostachys aureus (golden), P. nigra (black), P. vivax, P. viridis, and Pseudosasa japonica. The plants were about 8 to 12 feet tall and I had them against the house for extra protection. I moved them from my previous home and didn't get a chance to plant before the winter. All overwintered well, and were planted out back a few days ago(well away from the house this time!). Of course this has been a mild winter, don't know how they would have been in containers in a cold winter. Now that mine are in the ground, they certainly have gotten watered in well what with all the RAIN. But getting back to your desire to grow in containers. There are certainly some challenges associated with this project. As you have been advised, containers are a lot colder (and HOTTER) than growing in a mulched location in the ground. If you grow in a container, I suggest the following: 1.) get the largest container you can (better insulation), 2.) use a good soil that drains well (I like to add extra sphagnum moss and coarse sand), 3.) provide some protection from both hot and cold winds (if locale is windy), 4.) position in semi-shaded position (they like full sun but there could be a problem with burning in a container in both summer and winter. 5.) Position near house/building (to take advantage of heat radiated from inside). Of course, you can also decide to get a tropical or subtropical species and overwinter it inside and get it outside the rest of the year. I have the subtropical Bambusa multiplex that is outside for most of the year but gets protected inside from Dec to March then goes out. It does fine in the house and outside is hardy to about 15 F. anyway. As to planting, I usually do most of my planting in April, but you could plant throughout the spring, summer and fall. Good luck!

madhatten- Vivax may not be the best choice for you. While vivax has large culms, it is also very thin-walled and brittle, and the culms break in half under snow loading. Something like Ph. nigra 'Henon' would be a better choice: it gets large, too, and has very strong and flexible culms.

(Cross-posted to Japanese Gardens, Metro NY Gardens and Gardening in Shade) My aging neighbor has mistaken me for a landscaping expert and enlisted me to overhaul her back patio. Picture a *very* shady backyard, behind a Brooklyn brownstone, underneath a canopy of old oaks and sycamores. Some filtered light gets through, but not much. She wants to hide her neighbor's chainlink fence, dumpster and concertina wire, on top of an embankment. Total height about 15-17'. The patio is surrounded on three sides by 2-3' deep beds, with concrete on one side and walls or other obstacles on the other. I was thinking of using bamboo on one of those three sides as a screen, and installing a rhizome barrier so that it doesn't spread and take up all three. So, picture a well-contained rectangular plot that's 2-3' x 12-15' Here are my questions: 1) I've been soliciting suggestions and have been getting advice for both clumping and running types. Seems like there are strong camps on each side. Anyone want to try to make a definitive case for one versus the other in my situtation? 2) The nominees so far: Semiarundaria fastuosa, Semiarundinaria 'okuboi,' Fargesia robusta, P. rubro, Ps. Japonica and I. latifolius. Anyone want to weigh in one of these or others not listed? 3) Can I plant anything in and around any of these? If there's a finite, contained space, and I were to try to plant, say, anything such as ferns, hostas, carex, or hakone grass -- will the culms grow around them, or just crowd them out of existence? Would I need to install barriers in front of the bamboo if I want some shade perennials, grasses or ground covers? 4) Is fall an okay time to plant bamboo in this area and microclimate? Or wait until spring. In realize the answer might depend on the specific type, but it also might be a qualified yes-for-all or no-for-all... Many thanks, Fred

Hopefully you got some feedback in those other forums. What did you decide to do?