ranger, i would suggest you find a hardy clumping bamboo.
speaking off the cuff...bamboo is a grass and grows from rhizomes. there are hundreds of species but basically only two types of bamboo.....running and clumping. running bamboo can be very invasive. if you want a large cane variety like timber bamboo, depending on species, it can take up to 10 years before you see large canes develop. there are many beautiful smaller varieties with quick dividends though - like some of the golden and black varieties.
google clumping bamboos and look for a hardy (cold tolerant) species. good luck.
