Steve -- why not give the Yellow Groove (Phy. aureosulcata) a try first? When maintained it can be quite attractive -- don't judge it by the "wild" groves you see.

You could also try some of the other aureosulcata forms: 'Spectabilis' or 'Aureocaulis'. They're both really nice if you're looking for a yellow culm, and quite hardy (although maybe slightly less so than P. aureosulcata).

The only problem you'll have in a "small" growing area is congestion. It will become rootbound after a few years and you'll need to divide it. You'll probably need to remove some culms too. But as I said, it should be fine for a few years.

z6 or z7 could make a big difference if growing in a pot -- pots leave the rootball exposed to much lower temps than if the plants were in-ground.

Yeep agreed with alan_l that the P. aureosulcata are worth considering. Just please don't plant any P. nigra, because everyone and their cats plant P. nigra! =)

I've always wanted to plant a P. aurea 'Koi' or P. aureosulcata 'Harbin'; the former has a sort of geometrically-shaped culms whereas the latter has fine ridged ones. Both of them are upright growers too; which is how I prefer my bamboos. Just need to find more room for them!

The denser, hardier and tidier Fargesia would be the more suitable of the two genera for the pot.