Advice on selecting a dense, hardy, shorter variety?

[Franco]

I am in the process of re-landscaping my pool area and I have to hide some very unsightly pool equipment. Between the concrete pads on which the pool equipment sits and the concrete pool deck, I have a strip of perhaps 3' x 5' for planting a screen (the thicker the better).

The spot gets sun for about 4-5 hours a day, though it is all dappled due to the nearby trees. I am looking for a very dense, very hardy bamboo that doesn't get too tall as I only need a height of about 4-6 feet to completely hide the equipment, though a height of up to about 10 feet would not cause any problems with the nearby trees.

My thoughts were F. Muriele, F. nitida, or F. Rufa. Any thoughts on which might provide the thickest screen, ie. with leaves close to the ground, or on any other options?

[dependable]

Of the 3 you listed F rufra would be the best choice for your application, as far as leaves going to ground fullness.

Now we are supposed to call it F dracocephala 'rufra' according to new ABS publication.

Sasa palmeta or something similar might also work if it is to be contained between slabs.

[moriphen]

Given your screening needs, location and bamboo availability, only Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' fits the bill. Fargesia murielae and Fargesia Nitida loose or fold their leaves during the winter, rendering them poor screening choices for a good chunk of the year. Alternative choices include Fargesia denudata, though its only hardy to -12.2º C and Fargesia sp. 'Jiuzhaigou' IV due to its vigorous culm growth, physically screening your equipment. (may require more sun exposure at your latitude to achieve this effect)