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Fountain Bamboo Fargesia nitida

Previously known as:

  • Arundinaria nitida
  • Sinarundinaria nitida
Phonetic Spelling
far-GHEE-zee-uh NI-ti-duh
Description

Exceptionally cold-resistant bamboo grass but does not withstand hot summer temperatures and humidity well.  Its upright arching stems can sometimes take on a weeping form which gives it the common name fountain bamboo.  It tolerates a wide range of conditions and soils but prefers damp, high organic matter well-drained loam in the partial shade.  It flowers very infrequently and can die after putting all of its energy towards reproduction. This is a non-invasive bamboo and can be used as a hedge, screen or wind-break. 

Quick ID

  • Clump-forming bamboo with cane-like growth
  • Long, sheathed, linear leaves with ciliate ligules
  • Purplish stems/culms
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blue Fountain'
    Blue leaves
  • 'Ems River'
  • 'Jiuzhaigou'
  • 'Wakehurst'
'Blue Fountain', 'Ems River', 'Jiuzhaigou', 'Wakehurst'
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#specimen#slow growing#shade garden#privacy#screening#clumping#wind pollinated#fantz#container plant#hedge#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blue Fountain'
    Blue leaves
  • 'Ems River'
  • 'Jiuzhaigou'
  • 'Wakehurst'
'Blue Fountain', 'Ems River', 'Jiuzhaigou', 'Wakehurst'
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#specimen#slow growing#shade garden#privacy#screening#clumping#wind pollinated#fantz#container plant#hedge#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fargesia
    Species:
    nitida
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Using in making lightweight fences, baskets, and sieves
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Honey fungus
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Erect
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Description:
    Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Description:
    Wind pollinated, dioecious (has both male and female flowers on the same plant). Flowers only appear after long intervals (years). They put all of their energy into their flowers and sometimes plants die after flowering, but they will often recover after looking ragged for a few years.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Gray-green, narrow leaves 2-4" long by .5" wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Purplish-green canes
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade