try looking at bambooweb.com it gives a long species list which you can sort by conditions and growth, and it gives pictures and descriptions as well. This may give you a grasp of the right type you wish to plant.

It is no different than planting a gardenia plant, Mulch well and I don't see why puttting rocks around it would be a problem.

Just make sure you buy a bamboo that will survive your climate. Look at the websites and see what the min temp is and stay within those limits.

I just purchased my firt mail order bamboo from Bamnbooplantation, and I am happy with them. You might want to find a mail order source closer to you though.

Most of my bamboo has been given to me or dug up so you might want to explore those avenues.

Here is a link for the bamboo sources in Washington that are members of the American Bamboo Society.

I would suggest going to a couple of them and look at their bamboo plantings. Bamboo Gardens of Washington in Redmond has some nice planting that you can walk through.

I know it is not what you are looking for but if you want to see some big bamboo and talk to bamboo enthusiasts the PNW chapter of the ABS is having a meeting at the Washington State University Research Fields in Puyallup on Sept. 30 at 10:00. I will post more information on the meeting on the bambooweb.info Events forum.

Bill

Here is a link that might be useful: Washington state bamboo sources