lbernheim, I think any bamboo that you select, even the very hardiest of kinds, would die down to the snowline or perish totally in zone 1. From previously researching this myself, the hardiest species capable of retaining any amound of wood over the winter, these are rated for zone 4 .... maybe, someone else knows more?

Terry

Fargesia nitida is probably the most cold hardy. Alas, I lost mine the winter following the year the species bloomed throughout the world (circa 2001?). It tried to bloom that year too, but my season was too short. Even here (near Minneapolis, Minnesota), nitida barely makes it, and only in the sheltered spots. But with a good deep snow cover (that I don't get reliably anymore), who knows?

I obtained Fargesia rufa this past summer. A species not well known, but should maybe be as hardy. I seem to be having a fairy normal winter so far. We'll see what happens.

Hello Ibernheim,

I'm Rob in Canadian Zone 1B or USDA Zone 2B, I think... in Manitoba, Canada...
I've looked into the very hardiest bamboos, thinking I'd like to try it here... though I'm not sure it would survive... if it did, it would probabaly die down to the ground every year...I was looking at a site in British Columbia, Canada... called Canada's Bamboo World...they have a tonne of info and all the stat's on the hardiest and not so hardy bamboos, as well as bananas, cannas and hardy palms... all of the latter would never make it where you are, but, some of the bamboos are hardy down to Minus 32deg Celsius...which is Minus 25deg Fahrenheit...I still don't know if they'd make it where you are either, but it might be worth a shot, if you have a micro climate going on in a well protected site... and took some extra precautions during winter... the website address is down below... check it out, you'll get alot of info there...

Rob

Here is a link that might be useful: Canada's Bamboo World

Well, I'd try it. I'm sure no one's actually tried testing the plants in zones 1-3, so who really know.

If you plant the most hardy of types up against the south side of the foundation of your home, this will provide heat to the roots and they'll likely make it through the long and cold winters ... the tops would unfortunately die right back down. I've often thought of doing this myself ... heck, maybe I'll order some bamboo for spring!

Terry

You could also tie down the canes to the ground and mulch (root ball and canes) in the fall. People seem to have better luck that way.

Good idea leftwood ... I'll try this myself :)

Terry

Any idea how big the rootball on bamboo would be for say a 5' shoot? Hoping to do something cool with bamboo potted inside, as a room divider in a big, sunny living room, in, say, 5 gallon pots.