Fargesia robusta - Non-running Bamboo

The Fargesia robusta is a medium-sized bamboo, non-spreading, with fine and abundant, evergreen foliage, whose weight naturally bends the top of the canes. The whole forms a clump of long and slender stems of a slightly yellowish green adorned with white sheaths topped with slightly drooping, graceful vegetation. This variety of Fargesia, robust and hardy, is also one of the few that can tolerate the sun well. It is used as a specimen plant, to create a hedge, or planted in a large container to serve as a privacy screen on a terrace.

The Fargesia robusta is a plant of the poaceae family, a type of woody-stemmed grass that develops from a non-spreading rhizomatous stump, known as a clump-forming. In this type of bamboo, the very short internode rhizomes develop slowly at the periphery of the stump, which gradually widens, but they also develop towards the inside of the clump, which remains very dense, without thinning out in the centre. The Fargesia robusta is native to the Sichuan province in China, but also to the Himalayas where it is found in forests. This bamboo is one of the most robust, it can withstand temperatures of around -18 to -25°C (-0.04. to -13°F).

This bamboo, also known as Sinarundinaria robusta or Thamnocalamus robustus, grows in dense and flexible clumps, with the canes gracefully bending under the weight of the foliage. After an establishment period in the first year, it then grows rapidly at a rate of about one metre (3.28ft) per year to reach a height of about 4m (13.1ft). Under less favourable growing conditions, it will not exceed a height of 3m (9.8ft). This plant forms large clumps with a span of 3 to 4m (13.1ft), ideal for creating dense and tall hedges. The relatively thin canes (0.5 to 2cm) are a greenish-yellow when young, punctuated by the white, sheathing base of the leaves. As they age, and under the sun, the canes turn golden. The narrow and elongated leaves measure up to 20cm (7.9in) in length and are a beautiful vibrant green. They persist if the winter is not too harsh.

Very adaptable to the soil, this Fargesia robusta likes coolness, but can tolerate short periods of drought. It prefers rich, neutral and well-drained soil, but adapts to many conditions. This variety does not mind the sun and will also grow in partial shade, on the edge of large trees. Hardy down to -20°C (-4°F), it withstands wind well and is an easy plant to establish in the garden. It forms a clump that undulates elegantly in the breeze. Non-invasive and visually appealing, this bamboo is ideal for Japanese-inspired gardens, accompanied by hostas or ferns. Whether in the ground or in a container, it will be useful as a windbreak or privacy screen. Planting it as a hedge is possible, but the screen will take a little longer to fill in compared to spreading bamboo varieties.