Mike- If you're talking about filling a 10' wide space with 3 B. lako of that size, I think -- depending on your growing conditions -- that it will be a good 5 years before you get them to approximate a filled-in hedge...or even have to think about topping them. The other concern I have about B. lako (and other large bamboo) is that, once it matures, it tends to have less foliage near the ground than the top, so you could be topping a lot of the higher up foliage, and leaving lower culms that look a little bare. If you must top, don't do all the culms at the same height, so it will look a little more natural. I know B. lako is beautiful, but I also have an alternate suggestion: get a smaller clumper (say, Bambusa multiplex 'Golden goddess'), that you won't have to crop. Or get an open clumper, like Yushania anceps, which acts like a clumper, but will spread out faster than a true clumper. However, it won't be so fast that you can't easily rhizome prune if it starts to move in the wrong direction (it simply doesn't send out long runners), and it only reaches a height of 12', so you wouldn't have to top it. Here is a picture of 3 of them (they're to the right of the lantern) that I planted against a 9' high fence. That was right after planting; they've filled out nicely over the last 3 years, but I don't have a picture of that since I sold that house. My only concern in making this recommendation to you is that Y. anceps prefers something less than full sun, and your spot looks pretty sunny. Maybe someone here has some experience with growing it in your conditions.

I, too, could use some help in this regard, as my now three year old scheme to plant golden bamboo in elevated containers is, mostly, coming to naught. Most of the plants did well for a year or so but have, by now, mostly petered out, etc. (fyi containers were insulated, mulched, etc.) So, rather than containers, I'm now aiming to tear out a 2' wide strip of my cement patio, and plant some hearty bamboo into the ground, which, hopefully, will grown to at least 12ft high, concealing my rear-yard neighbors chain link fence and patio beyond, without running and sprouting in my next door neighbor's yard. I'm looking for the densest screen possible, with the year round beauty of bamboo. From perusing these posts, so far it seems like Bambusa multiplex is a good candidate. What about fargesica robusta? Any other suggestions? Any input appreciated. Thanks.

There are a number of bamboo that would work for that purpose. But do they care whether it's running or clumping bamboo? Running bamboo will fill out a hedge more quickly, but will need either an in-ground carrier or maintenance after several years to keep it from spreading into unwanted places. Clumping bamboo will not run, but each clump will slowly expand in diameter over time.

Check out Tropical Bamboo Nursery. They have many varieties suitable for zones 9 and 10. They only grow clumpers, not the invasive runners. If possible, I highly recommend visiting them to see their display, and oh and ah over the mature Boos. It is a lovely place! I have Dwarf Buddha Belly (7), and a variegated dwarf, that only get to 12'-15' tall. They can be trimmed to make interesting lower culm displays, or left full all the way up. I have 4 other, taller varieties too, but it is raining too hard for me to go read the tags(G). Asian Yellow is really pretty, as is the blue one, Angel Mist. Seeing the different types all in one setting, makes a huge impact. I LOVE visiting there! Boos grow very quickly, so be careful about getting a type too tall for the area you have. Lisa Here is a link that might be useful: Tropical Bamboo