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Best Clumping Bamboos for Specific Situations

Want a unique Mother's Day gift? Here are BooShoot Gardens owner Jackie Heinricher's recommendations for the TOP CLUMPING BAMBOOS.

	Fargesia robusta

TALL AND NARROW: Fargesia robusta, topping out at approximately 18' and with a hardiness of -10°F, is an upright tidy clumping bamboo that makes a stunning vertical statement in the garden. The geometric pattern of the white colored cane sheaths against the green background of the new developing shoots is strikingly ornamental. This beautiful clumping bamboo with leaves that are shiny and deep olive-green is one of the most upright clumping bamboos to be seen.

DRY AREAS: Thamnocalamus tessallates is the only bamboo native to South Africa, where, at one time, the canes were used in Zulu shields, as well as shafts for arrows and spears. It has an upright habit with persistent cane sheaths after shooting. This effect is almost geometric in appearance alternating in a green and white pattern up each cane. This bamboo is drought tolerant and sun hardy. Height is 16' and it is hardy to 0°F.

	Thamnocalamus crassinodus

DAINTIEST / LIGHTEST TEXTURE: Thamnocalamus crassinodus is a deep shade bamboo. The new canes emerge grey-blue, turning vibrant hues of purple and red with light sun exposure. The leaves of this plant are petite, and the clump is open and airy. The height of this bamboo is approximately 18' tall; it looks dramatic and dainty planted in a wooded setting. Although utilized in the UK for many years, this bamboo is still new to the western garden. Hardiness is 5°F.

BEST SCREEN / HEDGE: Chusquea culeou, Fargesia robusta, and Fargesia rufa all lend themselves nicely to a hedge or screen planting. These clumping bamboos are compact, very dense, ornamental bamboos. They can quickly create a desirable screen to soften any border. Clumping bamboos will provide an evergreen screen without the worry of invasiveness. Though still underutilized, bamboos are relatively pest and disease free and, once established, require little maintenance. Chusquea culeou and Fargesia robusta are both tall, upright, and dense, while Fargesia rufa only tops out at 8', a requirement for many small spaces.

BEST IN CONTAINERS: Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' and Fargesia rufa both tolerate container culture very well. 'Alphonse Karr' must be brought in during the cold winter months (hardiness 15°F in the ground) while Fargesia rufa can stay outside year round. 'Alphonse Karr' is one of the best bamboos for interiorscapes. It is upright with large trusses of dark green leaves set off against yellow canes striped with green and burgundy. Use this bamboo in containers on patios and decks, but, in colder regions, make sure to protect it when winter arrives. Fargesia rufa is hardy (to -20°F) with bright orange leaf sheaths and does exceptionally well in containers. Fargesia rufa has arching canes giving this plant a very soft fountain effect.

FOR TIGHT SPACES: Borinda angustissima (meaning extremely narrow) is truly the tightest clumping bamboo in cultivation. Some of the first collections of this plant were from the Giant Panda Preserve in Wolong, Sichuan China. Having the most delicate and dainty leaves of all the Borindas, it adds a fine texture and grace to the garden. The new canes emerge early summer wrapped in deep purple-red culm sheaths. The mature plant has a vase-shaped form with an approximate height of 18'. Although originally thought to be tender, this plant is proving itself hardy, drought and heat tolerant. This plant can be placed in the most confined spaces: within a perennial planting, next to a structure or hardscaping. It is tight yet the large vase shape belies the tightness of the clump. Stunning!

	Fargesia rufa

BEST ALL-ROUNDER: Fargesia rufa. It's fair to say that many of the clumping bamboos fall under the realm of "Best" depending upon the hardiness, heat tolerance, size, and overall effect desired. Fargesia rufa has impressed even the most hardened growers throughout the United States for several reasons. It's extremely cold hardy, has stunning top growth performance (quickly topping out at 8'), it's heat tolerant, sun tolerant, drought tolerant, and non-invasive, yet beautiful in every way possible for a clumping bamboo. Fargesia rufa is hardy to -20°F and forms a significant fountain with the added orange glow of the leaf sheaths. It can be planted as a specimen, does very well in containers, and makes an impressive hedge. Too bad it can't make coffee!

By Jackie Heinricher of BooShoot Gardens
Skylights Spring/Summer 2007 Vol. 22, No. 2

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