Bamboo for patio screening

I have 4 tubs of bamboo.  Firstly let me tell you that they are messy, ie: they will drop leaves, which can get into your nails when cleaning up,ouch.   Also, they will eventually become root bound in any container, (I am currently trying to remove one from a concrete trough, after 2 days I cannot move it, so will have to pay a strong man).   Normally I put the containers onto their side drag the plant out and then saw it up to replant what I want.   They will tell you when they want water, the leaves will roll up.   They can be attractive if you cut the growth off the bottom canes so that you can see the lovely shiny colour. but it doesn't make any difference to the growth etc if you don't.  I never feed mine they like it rough  .   As to the varieties, have a good mooch around your Gc and growers.    I do not hve to cut mine down at the top because the container will restrict the ultimate height.  Mine reach about 6/7ft including the container .  Also Google specialist growers, and if in doubt, ring them and ask.  They are always happy to share knowledge.   My personal favourites are the golden bamboo.    Good Luck, and tell us what you decide in the end.     Mrs Bouquet

I also have Golden Bamboo in pots which screen us from our neighbours' patio outside the back door. The do like to be damp and I have a ray underneath the pots for this reason. Yes, they do drop leaves but these are easily swept up occasionally.(I wear gloves to garden so haven't ever had a problem with injury  )

When I have a spare half hour or so I cut out old canes and cut off all the little stalky bits up the canes as far as the leaves, which improves their appearance no end.

Three with roots in deep shade, one in a sunny spot and they are all fantastic. Can't recommend them enough  Your pots size sounds just right for them

Thanks both for your replies. I'm not too bothered about the leaf drop as my garden is very small and easy to maintain so a bit of extra work won't hurt. The same goes for keeping the soil damp. My plan is to let it grow to the same height of the perimeter fence which runs perpendicular to it, and then cut it so that it stays the same height. Ideally I'd also remove the stalks from below the leaves on the canes as sunshineband suggested, as long as this doesn't reduce the screening properties of it too much. I'll see what I can find in the garden centre. If anyone has any pictures of their setup I would be interested

Whatever you do don't be tempted to plant even the "clump forming" bamboos in the garden.  Many  years ago when bamboo first became popular, we fell for this.  We are still trying to get rid of it even now, because even what is called clump forming runs riot once it gets its roots well established.  It should be fine in pots, just check that the roots don't manage to break through the containers and creep into the soil.

Agree 100% with this... don't plant in the ground!!

A property that backs onto a shared rear drive put bamboo in along their rear fence.. it grew and grew then came under the fence across our neighbour's (two doors down) back drive, spread along the drive and began to hurtle towards us. (over a period of a few years).

It was only a change of occupier and a new neighbour with a mechanical digger that stopped the bamboo becoming a feature in several local homes!!  So... do take care.. keep it in a large shrub tub.

Another picture

Thanks for the kind words. They seem to be shedding a fair few leaves at the moment so I'm a bit worried they might be dying. Are there any telltale signs that bamboo is not doing so well? Or is there anything that I can feed them? I planted them in multipurpose compost mixed with some clay soil from the garden. The soil has been kept moist and is not waterlogged, so if I am doing something wrong then I'm not quite sure what

Thanks for the reply. That's a relief. I will keep my eye on them. I'm very much a fan of treating them mean and only intervening when necessary. It rains a fair bit where I am so I don't intend on watering unless - as you suggest - they let me know. Thanks again