This is black Nigra bamboo, It initially slow to spread / grow, new culmbs emerge but you can trim your bamboo to control the look. The stock comes out green but from my experience some turn black quickly and they are gorgeous. You also have to dig down and install a wall / island around the bamboo - we did Rhizome Plastic Barrier 30" down all around back sides / front. This will help stop it from growing under / taking over. The thick plastic gets expensive but is a smart way to help contain and is responsible when planting bamboo. I have planted black bamboo several times now and its one of my favorite, however you cant just leave it, its needs gardening, which is fun!

There are two different types of bamboos: Running bamboo and clumping bamboo. With the running bamboo, it will need to be contained, as discussed above. For clumping bamboo, it does not run, and grows within its own base, so it is much easier to control. When any kind of bamboo starts to grow, you can kick off the baby culms emerging from the ground. There are many smaller culmed clumping bamboo. Look under "Bambusa" as one of the types of bamboos that are clumpers and do not run. Alphonse Kerr is a nice thinner clumping bamboos, as is Doli Green Stripe. I live in Houston and there are some great bamboo gardens around here. One is Bamboo Texas (http://www.bambootexas.com/about-bamboo). Also, be sure to check on their website (amongst others) for cold hardiness. Many bamboos can be mail ordered.