I repeat my usual recommenation of Bambusa tuldoides. I planted a small division last July, my first bamboo. It put up a new 1/2" culm within weeks and a few more before November, all getting up to 8 - 9 ft. The last culm got nipped by cold and high wind in Dec. All the rest made it through what we call "winter" in central tX, and kept their leaves.

This season, 10 new culms between 3/4 and 1 inch diam, so far. The lead culm is up to 10 feet, and still going. There are two more culms coming up just now, and based on last year, I expect several more before December. The plant is holding up well in full-sun in our rainless, low-humidity drought since 1 June of 95-100F days, and 75-80F nights.

It's a fairly tight clumper, from this photo of my vendor's 3-yr-old clump in his backyard:

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and from Roy Rogers:

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another:

For a 5 x 20 ft area, I'd plant 4 or 5 divisions every 3 or 4 feet along the center line. Much well with composted manure, keep moist. In fall 06, you could have 50 - 60 culms of 10+ ft.

FYI:
grasses forum is called Ornamental Grasses

Rick

Thanks, unautre. While beautiful, that looks a bit big for my purpose--this is meant to just fill an area about 5' x 2-3' or so. I wasn't going to plant the whole bed with bamboo. It's going to be background for a perennial border. I'd like something with a max height of about 6-8', nice greenery along all its height.

Does Alphonse Karr fit that bill?

Thanks, Rick. I soon figured that out!!!

Karen

You should probably use Bambusa multiplex var "Riviereorum" for that maximum height. It would be great for this compact garden.

Good Luck! DEF