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At a Glance
TypeGrass
HabitClumping
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height12-18 feet (3.6-5.5 m)
Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Maturity5 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
7 - 9These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →Frost Tolerancehardy
Overview
Fargesia robusta is a clumping (pachymorph) bamboo in the Poaceae family, forming dense, upright culm thickets 12–18 feet (3.6–5.5 m) tall and 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) wide without producing the aggressive running rhizomes of Phyllostachys and other monopodial genera. New culms emerge in mid to late spring, reaching full height within a single growing season, sheathed in distinctive white papery culm sheaths that persist through summer before weathering away. Mature culms are 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) in diameter, olive-green aging to yellow-green, with short internodes and dense branching that creates an effective visual screen from ground level upward. Leaves are narrow, 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long and 0.3–0.5 inch (8–12 mm) wide, medium green, semi-evergreen — older leaves drop in late winter and are replaced by new growth in spring. The species flowered gregariously across much of its cultivated range beginning around 2010–2015, with some populations dying after flowering while others recovered. Growth rate is moderate: established clumps add 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) of width per year by expanding the rhizome mound outward. In severe Pacific Northwest cold snaps below 0°F (-18°C), leaf damage occurs and culms may die back, though the root system typically survives.
Native Range
Fargesia robusta is native to central China, in Sichuan Province, where it grows in mountain forests at elevations of 4,500–8,500 feet (1,400–2,600 m). It occurs in the understory of mixed conifer-broadleaf forests and at forest margins in the habitat range of the giant panda.Suggested Uses
Planted as a privacy screen or hedge, spaced 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) apart for continuous coverage. Effective as a specimen clump in large containers (minimum 25 gallons / 95 L). Used as a windbreak when planted in a staggered double row. The clumping habit eliminates the containment barriers required for running bamboo species.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height12' - 18'
Width/Spread6' - 10'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Bamboo flowering is rare and unpredictable, occurring at intervals of 50–120 years in a gregarious pattern where all plants of the same genetic stock flower simultaneously. When flowering occurs, small grass-like spikelets appear at branch tips. Gregarious flowering of F. robusta began in some populations around 2010–2015.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in partial shade to full sun in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. Space 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) apart for a continuous screen within 3–4 years. Water deeply and regularly during the first two growing seasons and during Pacific Northwest summer dry periods — bamboo is a heavy water user and shows drought stress through leaf curling. Apply 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) of organic mulch over the root zone annually. Feed with a high-nitrogen fertiliser in spring. Shelter from strong winter wind, which desiccates foliage. Remove dead or damaged culms at ground level in late winter before new shoots emerge.Pruning
Remove dead, damaged, or thin culms at ground level in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge. Thin older culms (3+ years) annually to maintain an open, airy habit and allow light to reach new growth. New culms should not be pruned during their first year of growth. To control spread, sever any rhizome extensions at the perimeter of the clump with a sharp spade in autumn.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 25 gallons