If it is necessary to contain the bamboo in a small area and other means of checking its spread are lacking, barriers of sheet metal, hardware cloth, concrete, or fiberglass glazing can be used. Special rhizome barrier materials are available from some suppliers. At least part of the bottom of the container should be removed, to allow for the movement of moisture. Leaving the outer couple of inches of the container bottom should help to prevent the rhizomes from escaping. A clean, 55-gallon plastic barrel, prepared as mentioned above and buried so its top is just above ground level, should make a fairly good planter even for many of the larger bamboos.
Bamboos are vigorous, rugged plants.
In general, the larger species prefer to grow in full sun, and the smaller species tolerate or prefer some shade. The bamboos listed in this catalog are mostly from temperate regions. Most should grow satisfactorily in warm climates, but some species may reach their maximum development only in areas with fairly cold winters. It is best to plant bamboos which are to be grown outdoors in cold climates reasonably early in the growing season, so that they have a chance to become well established before cold weather arrives. They can be planted outdoors the following spring as soon as the danger of hard frost has passed.