I have numerous customers who want the running or timber variety of bamboo for small gardens in their yards. The bamboo nursery in arkansas gave us a method they use to control their runners and it has worked great for us in containing bamboo. Mark out your area you wish to have bamboo. Dig a trench three cinder blocks deep around the perimeter. Place cinder blocks in trench and fill holes with quickcrete. Plant your bamboo in the center with compost/soil mixture, fertilize and your good to go. You wont see much the first couple years but by the third years it should really take off. Bamboo needs a lot of water to do well. The only thing you have to do is walk around your perimeter a couple times a year and check for roots trying to grow over the wall. When you do find them just cut them back. Looks great and is actually the coolest type of shade you can sit in on a hot summer day.