Question
i manage a small apartment complex with a center courtyard and water feature. my boss wants to plant bamboo around the spa and use it for sound proofing. ugh! i want some color and something that looks nice-not stick like. would bougainvillea be a good answer? it would be have sun from above. i am in torrance, California. please help!

Answer
Hi Annalisa, I wouldn't put Bougs in, they won't give any solid barrier, and they will be a constant as far as trimming and maintenance, not to mention leaf drop and messiness; Bamboo can be very pretty, there are many colorful varieties, but its imperative that you choose a "clumping" variety, not a "running" variety, otherwise they will start popping up everywhere, including right next to the spa (they send runners underground for up to 100 feet in every direction. Clumping bamboo comes in a nice assortment of colors, check it out! Nick