Fargesia songmingensis

Also Known As

Clumping Bamboo

Plant type

bamboo

size

H: 15'-25'
W: 6'

planting zones

8b-10b

Fargesia songmingensis plant details

Fargesia songmingensis is an evergreen bamboo with green foliage. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - shade and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Fargesia songmingensis

Plant type: bamboo
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 6 FT wide, 15 FT - 25 FT - tall
Uses: clumping, hedge, tropical-looking, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Fargesia songmingensis

USDA Zones: 8b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - shade
Watering frequency: regular

Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Fargesia songmingensis is a newly introduced Fargesia from China by way of seed in 2011. University students located the flowering plant growing in the Himalayan mountains and collected some seed which was distributed in small amounts to bamboo growers throughout the world. Because the plants we have in the nursery trade are all grown from seed and there are not yet any mature plants, the mature specifications and habit are unknown. Based on the mother plant in China, this species has the potential to grow quite large and some have claimed that it may grow to 50 feet under ideal conditions, however in most of the United States this might be difficult to achieve.

F. songmingensis has actually been one of the fastest growing bamboos at our nursery, being potted from a one gallon into a two gallon and then into a five gallon container all in one growing season. At least on the juvenile plants we have, they appear to have two main shooting seasons, one in the spring and again with far larger shoots in the fall. So far the hardiness is untested on these plants but they appear to be about as hardy as most Borinda (the characteristics of which are closely resembled in this species, leading us to personally believe that this will likely be renamed to Borinda songmingensis in the near future). So far, we have had plants outside during 15 degree weather without damage to mature tissue so the plants are at least that hardy, however because new shoots appear in the fall those are more easily damaged by the cold.

The leaves on our largest plants tend to be about 3/4 to one inch wide and five inches long, with fuzz underneath. The new shoots have colorful purple sheaths which persist for several months like many Borinda species.