Everything you should know about Fargesia bamboo

Fargesia bamboo is a unique type of bamboo that is extremely popular due to their ornamental value, its non-invasive (clumping) growth and many advantages it brings. It helps you create a natural ambiance and is well suited to be used as a hedge or screen. Fargesia bamboo grows relatively fast and is easy to maintain. That is why it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a sustainable plant to your garden. MyPalmShop will teach you everything you should know about the clumping Fargesia bamboos, from the different species to the best methods to plant and maintain them.

Origin of Fargesia bamboo

Fargesia bamboo originates from the mountainous areas of China and Tibet, where it grows on altitudes from 1800 to 4200 metres. Due to the extreme weather found in this area, Fargesia bamboo has developed itself as a remarkably tough and resilient plant. It has spread itself (thanks to humanity) to different parts of the world and can now be found in pretty much all European countries as well. In Europe, it is mostly grown as an ornamental plant or hedge, as it brings many advantages for these purposes. It is arguably the most popular bamboo species due to its clumping (non-invasive) behaviour, beautiful foliage and its resilient nature. Fargesias bamboos grow in a clumping habit to heights between 60-500 cm with small, green leaves.

Species of Fargesia bamboo

There are various species of Fargesia bamboo available, each with their own characteristics. Below you can find some of the most common species:

• Fargesia murielae: Also known as umbrella bamboo, is a popular species of Fargesia bamboo due to their beautiful, weeping branches.
• Fargesia nitida: This species is commonly used for hedges or screens.
• Fargesia robusta: This species is known for its relative thick, sturdy branches and is commonly used as a solitary plant or as a hedge.

Maintenance of Fargesia bamboos

Fargesia bamboos are easy to maintain, though we recommend keeping the following in mind to ensure a healthy growth:

1. Light and water: some species of Fargesia prefer bright (indirect) light, others perform better in shade. Fargesia bamboos grow best if they get water regularly. Ensure that the soil is humid, but not soaked, as otherwise the plant might rot.
2. Fertilizer: Fargesia bamboo grows well without fertilizer, but it can grow even better with the occasional supplement of nutrients. Use a slow-release fertilizer for bamboo to provide these nutrients to the bamboo.
3. Pruning: it generally is not necessary to prune Fargesia bamboo. If you want to, however, it can best be done late in Winter or early in Spring, before the new growth. When you cut a branch, it will not continue growing any more. However, the bamboo will produce new shoots.