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Fargesia robusta, Robust Bamboo
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Ornamental Grasses

Fargesia robusta

Robust Bamboo

Poaceae
Sichuan Province, China; montane forests at 5,000-8,000 feet (1,500-2,400 m)

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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 - 9
Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Container Friendly
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Fargesia robusta is robust bamboo (clumping bamboo), a clumping semi-evergreen bamboo grass growing 12-18 feet (3.6-5.5 m) tall and 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) wide. Upright culms 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) diameter with green leaves 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) on arching branches. New culms emerge in spring with white papery sheaths. In Poaceae. Robusta = robust. A clumping bamboo (pachymorph rhizome) — does not spread by running rhizomes, so no root barrier is needed. This non-invasive clumping habit is the primary advantage over running bamboo (Phyllostachys). Native to Sichuan, China at 5,000-8,000 feet (1,500-2,400 m). Not drought-tolerant — leaf drop and culm stress in dry conditions. Leaf curl occurs below 20°F (-7°C) but recovers. Hardy to about 5°F (-15°C). The large mature size (12-18 feet / 3.6-5.5 m) requires ample space. Gregarious flowering (every 50-120 years) followed by death — timing unpredictable. Deer browse new shoots. Non-toxic. Zones 7-9. Part sun to full sun. Growth rate is fast (new culms reach full height in one season).

Native Range

Native to Sichuan Province, China. Found in montane forests at 5,000-8,000 feet (1,500-2,400 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown as an evergreen screen, privacy hedge, or specimen, and in large containers of at least 25 gallons (95 L), spaced 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m). Clumping (non-invasive). Dense screen. Non-toxic. Zones 7-9.

How to Identify

Identified by upright clumping culms with white papery sheaths on new growth and arching branches with medium green lance-shaped leaves. The clumping (non-running) habit and the white culm sheaths distinguish F. robusta from running bamboo (Phyllostachys — spreads aggressively by leptomorph rhizomes). In Poaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height12' - 18'
Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Not applicable in typical cultivation. Gregarious flowering every 50-120 years (grass-like spikelets), after which the population dies. Timing unpredictable.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Medium green, lance-shaped, 3-5 inches (7-13 cm), on arching branches from upright culms; semi-evergreen — older leaves drop in winter but culms retain foliage at the tips

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsilt
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (3-8 hours). Moist soil pH 5.5-7.0. Not drought-tolerant — leaf drop in dry conditions. Clumping (no root barrier needed). Remove old/dead culms at the base in late winter (February-March). Leaf curl below 20°F (-7°C) but recovers. Hardy to 5°F (-15°C). Deer browse new shoots. Non-toxic. Zones 7-9.

Pruning

Remove old, thin, dead, or damaged culms at the base in late winter (February-March). Thin to maintain an open clump. Remove lower branches for a cleaner trunk effect if desired.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 25 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic