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Fargesia robusta

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
far-JEE-zee-ah roh-BUS-tuh
Description

Clumping Bamboo is a tough, herbaceous perennial, evergreen that is native to Sichuan province in China. This bamboo has a narrow form and can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet over 5 to 10 years. It has slender, arching canes and attractive olive green leaves and is sometimes grown as an ornamental. The genus name honors Paul Guillaume Farges (1844-1912), a French missionary and naturalist who worked in Central China.

Clumping Bamboo prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil, but tolerates most soil types, including clay, as long as the site is moist and well-drained. The plant does best in partial shade in a sheltered site. A number of cultivars for this plant are commercially available. Existing plants can be propagated by division of established clumps or cuttings of young rhizomes in spring.

 Clumping Bamboo is robust, compact, and dense, but is not considered overly weedy. The plant will form dense clumps of deep blue-green canes with creamy-white sheaths. The canes become paler as they mature. The leaves are green on top and blue-green beneath. The plant is not considered invasive, which is common with bamboo, but it will do as well in a container as in the garden. Pruning is optional, except to remove unwanted stems in spring.

Diseses, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases. Slugs can attack young shoots.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Campbell'
    More sun tolerant, smaller leaves, tighter clumps.
  • 'Pingwu'
    Larger leaves, loose clumps.
  • 'Wenchuan'
    Large, glossy leaves.
  • 'Wulong'
    Evenly arranged, pointed leaves.
'Campbell', 'Pingwu', 'Wenchuan', 'Wulong'
Tags:
#arching#tough plant#bamboo#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#slender branches#narrow form
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Campbell'
    More sun tolerant, smaller leaves, tighter clumps.
  • 'Pingwu'
    Larger leaves, loose clumps.
  • 'Wenchuan'
    Large, glossy leaves.
  • 'Wulong'
    Evenly arranged, pointed leaves.
'Campbell', 'Pingwu', 'Wenchuan', 'Wulong'
Tags:
#arching#tough plant#bamboo#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#slender branches#narrow form
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fargesia
    Species:
    robusta
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The shoots are edible and are an important source of food for the giant panda. The culms provide material for weaving.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Distribution:
    South Central China
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Columnar
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No significant flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Orange
    White
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green foliage and light green culms, with new shoots that are hairy and rusty red in early spring. The culm sheaths persist and fade to almost white, giving the culms a checkerboard look in the spring through early summer.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Several small branches at each node bear copious narrow leaves.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Screen/Privacy