Some general suggestions:

1) Keep them realtively short -- you want to be able to see the bamboo culms once they reach a decent size.

2) If the bamboo has small leaves, use big-leaved plants below.

3) Don't make an entire row of the same plants. Break it up into 3 sections, with a different plant in each. You already have a whole row of bamboo, and another row in front of it would be too boring.

Just some ideas. Sorry I don't have specific plant suggestions.

Thanks. I got a similar answer in another forum here as well. It was also suggested that we look for drought tolerant plants since bamboo doesn't require a lot of water.

I wouldn't plant anything "right in front of the bamboo" but if you are doing a layered row, then I'd plant the forward row inbetween the clumps, not directly in front of them as then you can enjoy the new culms when they come out of the ground which is often when they are most interesting.

Then, if you've planted bamboo which branches out lower down, I'd let the branches grow lower in back of the clumps but keep them trim in front of the clumps to show the clumping bamboo off better and still give a measure of privacy at ground level.

I wouldn't worry about height of the front row at all, planted between the clumps, but I do like the mix of big to little leaves which often contrasts as a coarser with a finer texture. Also, I'd either work with color without going crazy or use shades of green other than the bamboo color to add interest.

Great suggestion. I didn't think about planting just between the clumps.