Thanks. I'm afraid the most common "bamboo" up here is Japanese knotweed
;-). Actually, P. Aureosulcata and its varieties, P. Bissetti, Nuda, and
Decora are grown (and a couple of other phyllostachys I can't remember).

Although some varieties may be hardier than generally rated, the surprise
here was that last winter's colder than normal northeast winter killed quite
a bit of the Phyllostachys Nigra to the ground, although there was no
apparent rhizome damage.

------
Bob


hermine stover wrote in message
...

I would at first, see what, if any, Bamboos have been already used in
your area. the growing of bamboo is still in its infancy in the USA
and thus, opportunities for experimentation abound. what you might do
is look up what parts of Japan and China have a climate with YOUR
winter. Our clients have grown some plants against our best most
conservative suggestions at temps which were far lower than the
official suggested minimums. what i would do is plant a variety of
Phyllostachys and see what performs best for you. Black bamboo is a
very transparent screen, by the way. it is lacy. P. bambusoides is a
more vigorous grower, with larger leaves and is often pictures in
woodcuts, bent almost double from the weight of snow and ice.