Chimonobambusa quadrangularis

Chimonobambusa quadrangularis is a collector's bamboo, a plant for outdoor or veranda equipped with remarkable graphics. Of medium size, this original is recognizable by its culms with square section equipped with swollen and flattened nodes from which emerge rudimentary roots. Definitely very different from other bamboos, it has a superb evergreen foliage, trailing in cascades of large glossy leaves, which gives the plant a unique aspect. Reserve space for this bamboo classified among slightly trailing species or grow it in a pot to store it during winter to protect its young shoots from winter frosts.

Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (synonym Qiongzhuea or Tetragonocalamus angulatus) is a plant of the Poaceae family, a kind of grass with lignified stems that develops from a trailing rhizomatous stump in hot climate more than in cool climate. This botanical species is native to China and Taiwan, where it grows in well-protected valleys and low-altitude areas. Not as tropical as Bambusa or Dendrocalamus, it is not considered a temperate climate bamboo like Fargesia or Phyllostachys. Its stump is still able to withstand short frosts of around -15°C in dry soil. Introduced in Italy in the 19th century, it remains quite rare in cultivation.

This semi-hardy bamboo has a particular growth cycle. It develops its shoots (young culms) generally in late summer or autumn. As these shoots are only slightly lignified, they do not tolerate severe frosts well. The culms, 2 to 3cm (0.8 to 1.2in) in diameter, emerge in spring with rising temperatures, reaching a height of 3 to 5m (9ft 10in to 16ft 5in), depending on the cultivation method: a potted plant will develop less than one in open ground. When young, they are blackish in colour, then they turn green and brown over time. The plant has an original, very exotic habit: narrow, rather erect but flexible, organized in cascades of leaves gathered in tight, upright clusters. One of the characteristics of this bamboo lies in its prominent nodes with aerial roots, arranged at regular intervals along the culms. Its evergreen foliage becomes completely deciduous below -10°C. It is composed of long, trailing and narrow leaves measuring 15cm (5.9in) in length and 1.5cm (0.6in) in width. They are a beautiful light green colour, with a very satin finish. The young shoots are edible once boiled.

This semi-hardy bamboo allows for the creation of scenes of great poetry, both in open ground and in pots, outdoors or in a bright interior with little or no heating. It is perfectly suited for zen, exotic, or contemporary style gardens. Avoid planting it in scorching sun, in excessively dry soils, and in windy locations. Highlight it as an isolated clump at the edge of a path or in the centre of a flowerbed. It integrates quite easily into the garden, associating with trees such as caramel tree, Japanese maple in all its forms, or certain weeping conifers. In a more shrubby flowerbed, it accompanies sacred bamboo, spindle tree, or Loropetalum. It can also be associated with black bamboo and Fargesia with different culms and foliage, for a highly successful tropical scene. With an extremely exotic appearance, Chimonobambusa quadrangularis is the ideal bamboo to give a very exotic character to even the most modest decor!