Fargesia nitida Obelisk - Non-running Bamboo

The Fargesia nitida Obelisk is a new variety of non-invasive Bamboo that is particularly interesting for its very upright habit and significant growth, for a Fargesia. It grows quickly, forming a tall and densely leafy clump in a short period of time, making it a great alternative to the ubiquitous thuja in a large hedge, or as a windbreak or privacy screen. Whether in the ground or in pots, this robust bamboo succeeds in all exposures, in moist but well-drained soil, preferably not chalky. Like all Fargesia, it slowly spreads over the years without ever becoming invasive. 

The Fargesia nitida is a plant in the poaceae family, a type of grass with woody stems that grows from a non-invasive rhizomatous stump, called a clump-forming bamboo. In this type of bamboo, the very short internode rhizomes develop slowly at the periphery of the stump, gradually expanding it, but they also develop towards the inside of the clump, which remains dense and doesn't thin out in the centre. The Obelisk cultivar is a cross between the Fargesia nitida and the Fargesia murielae, inheriting qualities from both parents. These plants, native to the Chinese mountains, are particularly cold-resistant. 

'Obelisk', recently selected, forms a dense clump from bottom to top, reaching around 3 to 4m (13.1ft) in height, or more. Over time, its habit becomes almost columnar, with only the top of the clump slightly drooping. Its growth is very fast, around 40 to 50cm (19.7in) per year, depending on the growing conditions. In the end, the plant will spread about 1.50m (3.3ft) on the ground. The canes are upright, slender stems, 1cm (0.4in) in diameter but strong, light green in colour and covered with a bloom when young. Over the months, they turn more brown.  The foliage on the canes is evergreen and distributed over almost their entire height. The abundant leaves are of medium size, lanceolate and tapered at their tips, with a tender, bright green colour.

The Obelisk Fargesia, tall, dense in stems and foliage, evergreen and fast-growing, is perfect for creating a windbreak or a sound screen. Highlight it in the garden as a standalone clump or in a large pot or container on the balcony or terrace. It integrates well in a shrub border such as with conifers or Japanese maples. Some large perennials like tall grasses, giant cannas, and tall dahlias (Dahlia imperialis) will also be good companions for this beautiful bamboo. To add an unexpected touch to its foliage in the summer, it can be paired with a Montana or viticella-type clematis with red flowers (Madame Julia Correvon, purpurea Plena Elegans, Avant Garde), whose stems will wrap around the canes, their small foliage blending naturally into the vegetation of the Obelisk bamboo.