hello... I'm new to the forum but i've been doing some research on black bamboo because my mom is dying to have some (and i admit i'm getting hooked too :~) ). even though it seems like some of you zone 6ers out there have it planted in the ground, it looks like it never really reaches its full potential in terms of color and height and can be very disappointing. so... if she gets some and plants it in a pot, what are the best recommendations for overwintering it? i see that a couple of you have put it in your garage for the winter... she has an unattached garage that basically stays at the same temp. as the outside air, so this might be a big problem. can she put it in the basement, with very little light (would it like a "dormant" period)? or is her heated sunporch a better idea?

one final question: if she insists on putting it in the ground, i'm guessing waiting til spring to buy it would be a better idea in order to let it get established in the ground for a bit before winter hits?

thanks for any advice!!