Bamboo Question

[stimpylu32]

I'm in NW Ohio and want to use some bamboo as a natural wall in the back yard , sorta to divide the kids area from the BIG kids area  and was wondering if any of you have done anything of this sort and what was the outcome ?
 
Also my yard is mostly shade which gave me the idea aof using bamboo as it a good understory planting that does well in shady areas .
 
stimpy

[briarpatch]

I planted some once and it took off, spreads like weeds. Finally got tired of trying to corral it and dug it up.

[mechanic]

I maintain about a 20' wide strip across the back of my place, and it does provide a good privacy barrier.  It runs long roots out across my entire yard however, and must be maintained constantly to keep it from getting out of hand.
 
If I go two weeks without mowing, I will have cane shoot over two feet high.  In really wet weather, it will grow 4-5" in 24 hours.
 
Be sure you want it, because like kudzu, you will always have it.
 
Ben

[keith44]

Outlawed in Ky, fine of up to $1,000.00 per day per plant if cultivated.  check yer local laws before just puttin some out.

[Bugflipper]

I don't really have a problem with bamboo. If it goes where I don't want it I just mow it over. The shoots are soft. The types I have are runners. I think you can get less invasive types that don't shoot runners way out from the main part. If you let them harden up past what the lawnmower would cut, I imagine you could cut the roots running to the main plant and spray the leaves with a herbicide since it's a type of grass.

[Empty Quiver]

If you do plant it you need to put in a deep very strong barrier to prevent it from spreading. Research this, my mind is muddled right now, or I would give you some figures. Were it me I would dig 30" deep and place something akin to 1/8 inch galvinized steel around the stuff. It is very agressive, do not under estimate what you could be releasing on your yard.  I have heard of backhoes involved in removal.
 
That said, it is an awesome plant.

[Victor3]

 I don't know what variety I have but it hasn't spread much in the 20 years I've owned my home (it was well established when we moved in). Doesn't have any type of containment and never sends out runners. The ~6' x 10' oval area it's in has only expanded a little over the years.
 
 So there's at least one type that won't turn into a monster. 

[stimpylu32]

Thanks guys , thats the kind of info that I needed . I did find out that there were types that don't have runners , yet that is not a real issue for me because of the location that I plan to use it in .
 
stimpy