Sasa palmata does very well here in Texas. It does better here in shade than in full sun and is cold hardy to this area.

Grows to about five feet if planted in the ground and only a couple feet in a pot.

Very large leaves, and keeps a healthy green look to it almost year round. Leaves have the look of a palm's leaves, hence the name.

Kt

Does great here in central AL. I have quite a large grove at about 4' tall. Gets a little sad during serious drought years, but bounces back well.
Chris

Thank you Kt and Chris. I caught the miss spelling right after I posted. Too bad they won't let us edit.

My plan is to plant a stretch along the edge of my property with S. Palmata, Moso, common cane bamboo, black and black snake bamboos... and see if they can't sort themselves into happy groves.

I'd be careful with it, the link below describes it as invasive. My guess is it's not a clumping type.

Here is a link that might be useful: Palm Bamboo

Bama, I'm trying to create some cover for some pheasants I hope to release in a year or two. Palm bamboo looks perfect. I have 32 acres and the area where I hope to plant this would be some 500 or more feet from my house site. I'll have a bush hog and I have a 10' wide clearing on each side of the property that I will keep mowed. I will make sure that I have a bush hog path all the way around the area I plan on planting any spreading bamboos.

thanks, Terry

Palmata is very easy to control with a lawn mower or weed eater. It does spread well and creates an excellent erosion control barrier. It is definitely a runner. Clumping boos are really only effective for ornamental planting unless you are in south FL or CA where runners don't thrive, then only as large barrier/dividers.
Chris