For clumpers, the largest species never seem to get enough water. I've added various stuff to soil to get more water retention, but they just don't seem to like it. Found this to be true for D. Giganteus, Asper, Brandesii, Oldhamii and a few others. They seem to perpetually have curled leaves during the summer, even if you water daily. Vittata is pretty successful for me in pots. So far, Atro and Lako are doing well, although they are both pretty small at 10-12 feet. Mex Weep is a great container plant. It seems to be about the most drought tolerant bamboo I have found. Same is true for O. Acum. Acum. As far as runners, S. Fastuosa does well for me in pots. Don't even touch any type of hard/brittle pot, like terracota, without a plastic pot inside. The roots will pop it in a heartbeat. As far as how big, all depends on the species and how big the pot is. Everyone has their own experiences, but I doubt you'd get a large clumper over 1/2 of the ABS reported heights. For some of the largest, might be more like 1/3 (like D. Giganteus, Asper, Brandesii, Hamiltonii, etc.). If in full sun and fairly warm weather, use water retention material.

Bamboo rhizomes (roots) do not damage or invade underground plumbing and gas lines. And they do not break or crack concrete, or damage foundations. The reason you have barrier is to keep the rhizomes from moving out into your lawn and sending up culms in unwanted places. Having said that, you may find it hard to locate a running bamboo that likes shade and will get to 35' in your location,

If I entered all of the info correctly the species on this list should do well in your climate. http://bambooweb.info/BrowseSSL.php?Units=I&Sort=Gs&Genus=All&DiaValue=+&HtCompare=%3E%3D&HtValue=+25&TempCompare=%3C%3D&TempValue=50+&SunValue=+&Clumper=NULL&Match=AND&Button=GO

Thanks nicki for your advice. But would you believe they are flying away this year, we had terrible soil down near the back fence also the land was vacant for 20 years, and in certain places we cannot grow anything, pretty sure the locals used it as the local dump including my lovely neighbours. You say dig down with a hand shovel O well I have too laugh, have you even tried digging down near bamboo, we tried dividing one last Spring and we did getting three good strong pieces off and they are flying away too,but it took a bent rake and a huge crowbar with hubby doing the bar bit while I was pulling the rope we tied to it. But I think the secret to my success at long last was the fertlizing with lawn food like richard said,I do them every six weeks from November till about April so it has made a big difference, they are about 3mts ( 10ft ) high now and still reaching for the sky and getting very bushy. I think the time I planted mine was wrong too being winter anyway they are right now. Cheers. MM.