Al Karr grows to different heights in different areas. I planted mine many years ago about 4 feet from my house and it does just fine. Al Karr does lean outward somewhat, but when it puts up shoots on the 'house side' of the plant, I will usually just break them off before they mature. Since I planted mine next to my house, I sometimes tie a rope around the plant about 5 or 6 feet up and pull the culms in tightly together so it is more upright and this keeps the leaning culms from touching the house. It grows to about 18 feet in height here. It will not hurt to plant it next to the wall, but it will not be able to grow in that direction so I would give it some space between it and the wall.

Thanks, Kentuck_! I will be planting it in a 12'x 4' space along the wall. Would it be okay to plant in the summer in zone 9b in full sun if I irrigate accordingly?

I have heavy clay as well and am planning on planting on a mound of topsoil and compost.

In clay, you don't want to water the plants to the point where it begins to get root rot but if it's extremely hot outside like it is here, it won't matter at this time of the year, but when temps get cooler, don't overwater, but with topsoil added, you will probably be fine and the plants should do well for you.

How about when you plant in clay soil and it rains heavily for days? Will that kill the plant?

Once it is established it will not harm the plant, but if it is smaller and stressed, it possibly could harm it. I have some in heavy clay out at my country place and they do fine in heavy rains for days on end. The same rains drowned some established peach and plum trees, but did not harm the bamboo.