What bamboo should I buy for the NY/Long Island area?

I'm seeking to create a privacy screen using bamboo trees. I'm in zone 6. But I don't know which type of bamboo I should get - there seem to be so many types. Any suggestions? I would like for it to grow up to 25 feet or so. There is plenty of sun in the area i'm seeking to plant them in.

What bamboo should I buy for the NY/Long Island area?
Hey JMO,





The American Bamboo Society has a list of varieties and that lists their hardiness. I have Rubromarginata and Moso, but think they would be more for my zone and warmer.





Grade A - In an average winter these species should see only minor leaf burn with little culm damage. The A+ species are superior in terms of hardiness.


Arundinaria gigantea - A+++


Phyllostachys bissetii - A+


Phyllostachys bissetti 'Dwarf Form' - A+


Sasa oshidensis - A+++


Phyllostachys angusta - A+


Phyllostachys atrovaginata - A


Phyllostachys aureosulcata - A


Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Alata' - A-


Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' - A-


Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Harbin Inversa' - A-


Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' - A


Phyllostachys glauca 'Notso' - A


Phyllostachys heteroclada 'Solid Stem' - A-


Phyllostachys mannii 'Decora' - A


Phyllostachys nuda - A-


Phyllostachys nuda 'Localis' - A-


Phyllostachys parvifolia - A


Phyllostachys propinqua 'Beijing' - A


Phyllostachys rubromarginata - A


Phyllostachys stimulosa - A


Shibataea chinensis - A


Shibataea kumasaca - A





Remember that there is clumping and running bamboo. If you plant running bamboo, and want to protect yourself from law suits for invading someone's property, see the last site - you put the root barrier in with a ditch witch making the 24" ditch.
Reply:Check with HGTV-they did a planting of bamboo behind a brownstone that was right for this zone. I'm not latin so the name escapes me.It was one out of 25 or so ,they named, that will survive and thrive.A china species?
Reply:Well one thing you must also consider is how long is the screen you are putting in. If the property area you are putting this in is say 70 feet long, and you are planting a few runners, you will need at least 160 feet of bamboo barrier to keep it contained. That is a lot of back breaking labor to dig the earth and put this in....that is unless you are paying someone else to do it.





Should you decide to go with a few runners is to maybe build raised beds and plant them in that. This will allow you to physically see when it is trying to escape and still achieve your desired effect. Or you could plant them in individual boxes, but the problem with boxes is that you will have to divide the plant every few years or it will become root bound and die. Plus, most boxed bamboos never reach full height potentials, so you may be disappointed in that too.





My suggestion would to plant a clumper, in particular one of the mountain bamboos in the Fargesia family. The have many varieties with various heights up to 20 feet. All should grow well in your area with normal plant care.





Maybe plan a trip up to Massachusetts some weekend and visit the crew at the New England Bamboo company. They would definitely be able to steer you in the right direction. You can visit them online here: http://www.newengbamboo.com/

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