Q: I recently planted five Golden Goddess bamboo plants seven feet apart and about the same distance from the fence line as a privacy barrier. What kind of growth should I expect from them?

A: ‘Golden Goddess’ is a clumping bamboo and it spreads slowly, so your neighbors won’t come banging on your door in a few years, accusing your plants of invading their yard. It grows 8′ – 10′ tall and in the right conditions it makes a good screen. I’d give it four years to reach full screening potential. The main shortcoming of this bamboo is its cold susceptibility. I predict big damage if temperatures around it go down into the ‘teens. We’re due for a cold winter, so prepare beforehand to have coverings that go over your plants down to the ground on all sides.