Fargesia murielae

Also Known As

Fargesia murieliae
Umbrella Bamboo

Plant type

bamboo

size

H: 10'-12'
W: 2'-4'

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Fargesia murielae plant details

Fargesia murielae is an evergreen bamboo with green foliage. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Fargesia murielae

Plant type: bamboo
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 2 FT - 4 FT - wide, 10 FT - 12 FT - tall
Uses: clumping

GROWING CONDITIONS for Fargesia murielae

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Fargesia murielae, known as umbrella bamboo, is one of the hardiest of all bamboos. It has a soft cascading canopy of lustrous evergreen foliage. The new shoots are a light blue colour adorned with tan culm sheaths eventually aging to a yellowish-green. All members of the genus Fargesia are clumpers and do not produce running rhizomes. Grow in a pot or the ground. Avoid intense summer sun in hot summer climates. The new shoots are edible.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Growing at over 10,000'in China (where the giant pandas relish it), this 10-15' clumper is one of the hardiest bamboos...and also a pretty one! with arching green culms forming an umbrella of fine foliage. PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

A medium sized clumping bamboo with thick foliage with a similar appearance and growth habit as Fargesia nitida. This is perhaps the hardiest of any bamboo species to about -25F, allowing this species to grow in many areas as far north as Canada and even in western Alaska. Additionally, this was one of the first clumping bamboos to be introduced to the United States.

One of the most attractive aspects of Fargesia murielae is its growth habit - it is one of the tightest packed clumpers we've grown, with hundreds of canes growing from a small area. However, as the canes lean out at the edges of the grove and lean back to the ground, it creates a solid edge of foliage and usually avoids the 'V' shape of other clumping bamboo, making it one of the best choices for a solid hedge. For comparison, a row of 'V' shaped plants allows gaps between the bases of each plant (VVVVVVV) where Fargesia murielae is more solid, like a 'U' (UUUUUUU). However, those wishing for a more upright grove are also in luck with this species, as the new growth is very upright and doesn't begin to lean over until the weight of the next season's leaves weigh the canes down. Trimming the top 20% of the leaning canes in June will send them springing back upright, a process that takes about five to ten minutes per year. This is also the case with Fargesia nitida.

In its native range in China, Fargesia murielae is one of the highest elevation bamboos. Although this provides its exceptional cold hardiness, it is adapted to the cooler and low humidity environment of the mountains. With afternoon shade and ample water, our plants thrive just fine even though we have frequent summer heat waves of 100+ degrees. When planted in full sun in our climate, the branches will have significant leaf damage and loss throughout July and August.

Fargesia murielae flowered extensively throughout the 1990's, so almost every plant in the United States is of the new generation and is not in danger of flowing for probably a hundred years or so. Many of the seedlings are still being identified as new varieties based on differences in habit, color, or general appearance, and so over time more named varieties will become available.