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Fargesia scabrida

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
far-JEE-zee-ah SKA-brid-ah
Description

Scabrida Bamboo is a clumping bamboo with an upright habit that is native to the mountainous regions of China.  It grows vigorously to a mature height of 12 to 15 feet with upright culms and provides a food source for giant pandas in its native habitat. It is a colorful plant with bright orange culms set against emerald green leaves. The young culms gradually open at maturity in blue and lavender then aging to green. The leaves are dark green and slender, with a graceful, airy arrangement. The genus name honors Paul Guillaume Farges (1844-1912), a French missionary and naturalist who worked in Central China.

Scabrida 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 more sun-tolerant than most other Fargesia. Existing plants can be propagated by division of established clumps or cuttings of young rhizomes in spring.

Plant this as a specimen, or mass plant, along a border. The plant makes a great, evergreen, privacy screen near a pool. It is robust, compact, and dense, but is not considered overly weedy. The plant will form dense clumps but is not considered invasive, which is common with bamboo. Pruning is optional, except to remove unwanted stems in spring.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases. Slugs can attack young shoots.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#vigorous#tough plant#bamboo#mass planting#privacy#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#slender branches#border planting#poolside planting#screening
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#vigorous#tough plant#bamboo#mass planting#privacy#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#slender branches#border planting#poolside planting#screening
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fargesia
    Species:
    scabrida
    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:
    Gansu and Sichuan provinces of China.
    Wildlife Value:
    The shoots are sweet and are an important source of food for the giant panda.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 8 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:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    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
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous, this plant is prized for its foliage.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    New culms (3/4 inch in diameter) have orange sheaths that mature to blue-purple and then fade to emerald green. Long narrow emerald green leaves.
  • 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:
    Pool/Hardscape
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen