Tall (16 to 25 foot), well-mannered (not an aggressive "runner" that
needs an underground barrier to keep it from taking over or spreading
excessively)   Bamboo Plant for Washington, DC (must survive winters
here)in full sun (and it's not going to get watered [except in first
few months] or cared for - it's on it's own at rental house). It's
task is to provide a bit of a visual screen (perhaps for a backyard
hedge), so could be planted in a long strip or in clumps.  As DC has a
bit of a crime problem, ideally should not be a total screen - being
able to see through it a bit will let potential backyard bandidos
still be visible by neighbors.  If it can be grown in controlled
clumps, then leaving some spaces between clumps would enable enough
visibility. Some bamboos can be controlled by once a year trimming of
the runners - which would be fine. Ideally would like to be able to
buy seeds or seedlings to be shipped - or to buy locally.

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Clarification of Question by redprince3-ga on 21 Apr 2004 21:47 PDT

Hi, I need to find a tall (preferably 16 to 25 foot), well-mannered
bamboo plant (not an aggressive "runner."  Many bamboos need an
underground barrier to keep it from taking over or spreading
excessively). Must survive in Washington, DC (must survive winters
here = and summers in full sun (and it's not going to get watered
[except in first few months] or cared for - it's on it's own at rental
house). It's task is to provide a bit of a visual screen  for a
backyard hedge, so could be planted in a long strip or in clumps. Be
nice if you also could find locations where I can buy seeds or
seedlings to be shipped - or to buy locally.

Have you investigated Bambusa textilis (Weaver's Bamboo)? It is a
clumping rather than a running bamboo, tall, and relatively frost
tolerant (13 degrees F).

Bambusa Textilis
http://www.bambooheadquarters.com/photoweb/bate.htm

Temperature appears to be the most limiting factor, and a severe cold
snap might be lethal for any bamboo.

hlabadie-ga