I would like Phyllostachys nigra "Black Bamboo" rhizome or plant. Thanks.

Your house and patio look great. The raised beds complement them nicely in my opinion. Looks like the area is pretty open so I assume it gets a fair amount of sun? I was thinking maybe Nandina aka Heavenly Bamboo would work well in that space. That could qualify as zone stretching for you however. Anyway they get at least six feet tall (much more so in warmer climates of course). You might be looking for a more cold tolerant evergreen. Either way I hope this helps. Oh one more thought. I double checked the cold tolerance of Black Nigra Bamboo for you and it is considered to be tolerant to zero degrees. That could also be pretty risky with your zone but I think would look great in the 'block the view of the neighbors' bed. Kate

Anyone interested in a partial bamboo swap/trade in Seattle area? I live in Seattle and have been researching tall clumping or running bamboo. I have 16 large nursery pots (24 gallon) of mature Golden (at least 4 years old that have been split/repotted a year ago). I'm looking for something a bit more shade tolerant and preferably greener. I prefer green to yellow, black, or red, though I'm flexible. My bamboo needs (feel free to chime in if you have a species you think would work for this scenario): I'm trying to screen out a 3-story apartment building on the western border of our property. I am a little apprehensive about the use of aggressive runner bamboo in an urban area (even w/ rhizome barrier) but I've researched my options online and it seems the only very tall clumpers (which thrive here) are Borinda Boliana, or Chusquea Gigantea. The B. Boliana I've heard might not over-winter well and possible isn't upright enough to act as a screen. I'm concerned about using a timber bamboo like C. Gigantea since I'm not sure how manageable that size would be in our 5K sf lot. I'm looking for something w/ a very upright habit (maybe Semiarundinaria fastuosa viridis, green temple bamboo) and maximum screening capabilities that will reach a height of at least 25'. Any recommendation for good bamboo screens would be very much appreciated. FYI: this bamboo would only have direct sunlight in the morning as the western apartment building would block afternoon sun. The soil is on the rich, loose side, though I'm not sure of its acidity. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

Doesn't look like you've had any offers, so far. Might I suggest purchasing a start of P nigra from a reseller not far from you? The prices are reasonable, the owners quite knowledgeable, and the plant I ordered from them a few years ago arrived healthy and in very good shape. Their prices for P nigra range from $45 to $110, depending on size, and not only will it save you some labor, you'll also be receiving a well-stabilized division. Could be your best bet, all things considered. I might also suggest waiting to plant until early spring, before shooting season begins. Mine went in the ground late April and had already begun to shoot when it arrived. Here is a link that might be useful: MidAtlantic Bamboo