Most bamboos like well drained soils, but I have some that do very well in heavy clay, although they can get too much water and get root damage if prolonged wet spells persist. Heavy soils are more harsh on small plants, so you might let it get some size, but having said all that...I would either plant it in a very large pot with some well draining soil, or plant it in the ground somewhere in a higher spot where water doesn't stand or either amend the soil with mulch, etc. It will grow faster and reach mature size quicker if planted in the ground. Good Luck Kt

I became rabidly interested in bamboo a few years ago after a trip to coastal New Jersey. I saw towering 40-foot bamboo that looked like it was in a Southeast Asian jungle (lol). Since then, I have done a bit of research on were it grows along the East Coast/Atlantic States. I live along the Connecticut coast (zone 7) about 1 Âmile from Long Island Sound/7 miles from Long Island. NY. I have several types growing, some of which are now 40 feet tall and 3.5 inches in diameter. I can only tell you what I have observed. It seems Massachusetts (excluding the Cape and Islands) is about the line where bamboo starts to struggle. In my travelers up and down the East Coast I have seen many stands of towering bamboo that stay green all winter in New Jersey, southern Connecticut, NYC metro, Delaware, MarylandÂect. Yet once into Massachusetts or New York State much above NYCÂ. while bamboo will often survive the winter - it gets tougher for it to stay green all winter. I have even read that in places where bamboo loses its leaves every winter and some clums are killed it never really sizes up. There was a place near Rockport. MA called New England Bamboo that I would often visit in early spring (March or April) a few years back. Although most bamboo stands to the south were all green on the drive up (including my own)Âthe bamboo on the grounds of New England Bamboo was often straw yellow with many dead clums. I donÂt think there is a clumping bamboo that will stay green all winter in zone 6. Running bamboo" is often significantly more cold hardy than "clumping bamboo". Perhaps others on the board have more info about cold hardy clumpers. I think your two best choices would be Phyllostachys "decora or nuda. Both are very cold hardy and will give you the best chance to have green foliage throughout winter. Phyllostachys "aureosulcata" is also a good choice. There is even a good source down here in coastal Connecticut that sells Phyllostachys "aureosulcata very cheap ($40 for 10-12 foot bamboo plants). New England Bamboo is up in Rockport, MA (northeast of you), although they are quite pricey. Based on the size of the area you have, you might want to install a rhizome barrier (root barrier) to keep the bamboo right in that spot. This process involves digging down about 24 - inches in a circular fashion creating a ring around the grove (leave about ½ inch above ground). This way you can spot any runners that attempt to dive over the barrier. Once the barrier is installed you can enjoy the vigor or running bamboo wih the worry of it spreading to areas you donÂt want it in. Good Luck.

Thank you Nucci. BBoy, I dont want anything taller than 12'. I still need sun in my yard, lol. I just want to know, from others experiences which Fargesia would be best for my situation. I need a privacy screen, but not over 12'. These will run along a 6' stockade fence, which I just want taller. Also dont want something bushy..just 10-12' tall..would be nice to stay green all winter, but if it browns and I need to trim down in spring for new growth thats fine, as long as it will grown back up to 10-12' quickly. What do you suggest? Thank You, Daniella

Hi Jeff, I have some. I actualy bought it near where you live at the nursery on Notre Dame dr. and Southdale. I live in Markham now, so if you were ever in the area let me know. I also have a orange bird of paradise that I separated but too big to ship. Norm