Fargesia robusta

Tall, upright, and more robust than other Fargesia, this 10-15' bamboo is excellent for hedge, screen, specimen, or container; in China, a food for Pandas, it?s also used for weaving, walking sticks and eating. S-Sh/M

One of the most erect of the Fargesias, new shoots emerge early in spring with hairy, red-colored sheaths. The new shoots achieve their maximum height quickly and then remain bare for the middle of the summer. During this time, the sheaths begin to dry out and slowly peel away from the stem. During the fall, the new shoots suddenly produce branches and leaves on the upper half of the culm. The bottom half of the culms often remain bare until the next summer, after that year's shoots have begun to reach their maximum height. F. robusta has recently become a popular plant for hedges due to its lower height and upright nature. It also establishes quickly, forming dense clumps after only a short period of time.

Although this species still requires some afternoon shade, it can handle more direct sun than the other Fargesia species. If it is planted with lots of sun, however, it should be watered more frequently and given more mulch each year. Both the soil and the mulch should always remain somewhat moist during the summer.

Fargesia Robusta "Campbell": Fargesia robusta is a graceful clumping bamboo with shiny deep olive-green leaves. Its white-colored cane sheaths against the newly-developing green shoots, is dramatically ornamental. Fargesia robusta is appropriately named, with its robust - yet non-invasive growth habit. Ultimate height is approximately 15'. This Fargesia is able to withstand cold winters and windy conditions showing minimal leaf stress. Fountain bamboo grows well in sun or shade, making it a very useful plant for the landscape

Upright grower with shiny olive-green leaves & white sheaths, hardy to about 0 deg. Culms up to 1".

Another landscape choice that can tolerate some morning sun, and you can tell by the name that it is a more vigorous species, with culms reaching an inch in diameter. In areas with long winters and late frosts, some of the early shoots cannot survive, but it will more than make up for this loss later on in the season, providing you don't have a Giant Panda lurking nearby.

With dense erect growth to 16' tall and tolerant of wind this species makes an excellent choice for a screen. Striking white sheaths on new stems.