Clumping Bamboo

While some bamboo plants spread rapidly, many species form clumps instead and don't take over large areas like their running counterparts. The size of the clumps vary depending on the species, with some staying very narrow while others can still produce large stands 20 or more feet in diameter over time (these are listed as 'Open Clumping' species). Clumping bamboo can be planted directly in the ground without the plants spreading into a wide area which makes them an excellent choice for screening and hedge projects, especially because they tend to have much denser foliage than their running counterparts.
All clumping bamboo species that are reliably winter hardy do best with some afternoon shade in hot climates. The only true sun loving clumping bamboo species are tropical and don't survive freezing temperatures. For sunny sites you can grow running bamboo species in above-ground containers or find other hedge plants here.

Umbrella Clumping Bamboo Fargesia rufa Mature Height: 8ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Starting at $19.99 Weeping Clumping Bamboo Fargesia denudata Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out but likely back soon. Blue Fountain Bamboo Fargesia nitida Mature Height: 10ft Hardiness Zones: 4-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to partial shade Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Chilean Clumping Bamboo Chusquea culeou Mature Height: 20ft Hardiness Zones: 7-9 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Out of season. Upright Clumping Bamboo Fargesia robusta Campbell Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Giant Clumping Bamboo Chusquea gigantea Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Out of season. Tiny Leaf Clumping Bamboo Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou Genf Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 3-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out but likely back soon. Dragon Head Bamboo Fargesia rufa Dracocephala Mature Height: 10ft Hardiness Zones: 5-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Colorful Clumping Bamboo Fargesia sp. Scabrida Mature Height: 12ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to partial shade Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Large Clumping Bamboo Fargesia songmingensis Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 8-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out. Umbrella Bamboo Fargesia murielae Mature Height: 12ft Hardiness Zones: 4-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to partial shade Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Himalayan Clumping Bamboo Borinda boliana Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Sold out. Bigleaf Clumping Bamboo Fargesia robusta Pingwu Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out but likely back soon.