I have a couple questions. Does the Oak's tree line hang over the area the bamboo will grow up in? How wet is that area of the yard most of the time? Does it dry out between rains or stay damp?
I have not grown clumping bamboos in wet areas myself. I have always read that they need a lot of water but prefer good drainage. I have read one article that talked about growing Bambusa ventricosa in a container of water. But that is the only variety I have read about that will tolerate standing water for long periods. It grows to 55 feet and the canes arch outward and sort of weep at the ends.
I have read that Bambusa oldhamii is grown as a screen (not sure about the wet conditions). It also grows to about 50 feet tall. Some of these varieties can be expensive and take 3-4 years to grow full size canes. Bambusa multiplex is a more affordable variety and grows to 25-30 feet. I have Bambusa textillis that I purchased from
www.floridabamboo.com If you visit their website you can get an idea of prices and varieties that are sold commonly. They also have wonderful pictures of full grown varieties. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville has some beautiful examples of full grown clumping varieties. The book Bamboo World by Victor Cusak is a great book for anyone who would like to learn more about bamboo. I recommend that you do as much research as you can before you purchase a variety...some varieties are edible, or good for furniture making...so you might find a duel use for the variety you settle on.
