Chinese Fountain Bamboo
Fargesia nitida (far-GHEE-zee-uh NI-ti-duh)
Chinese fountain bamboo is a slow-growing, evergreen, clumping, upright or arching bamboo native to Qinghai, Northern China, and Central China. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide, and has tall, thin, erect, purplish-green canes or culms. The foliage is narrow, dark gray-green on the upper surface, and grayish-green on the underside, measuring up to 4 inches long. The weight of the foliage causes the canes to arch and take on a weeping form, giving the plant its common name, fountain bamboo. The plant is a non-invasive bamboo and is easy to grow. It is a member of the grass family (Poaceae). The genus name, Fargesia , honors Paul Guillaume Farges, a botanist and French missionary in Central China. The specific epithet, nitida , is Latin and means "shining or bright." Prefers partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils and conditions, but thrives in damp, rich, organic matter or well-drained loam. Remove dead or damaged stems, and remove flower shoots as soon as possible. Propagated by division or rhizomatous root cuttings in the spring. It flowers very infrequently and can die after expending all of its energy towards reproduction. Chinese fountain bamboo is very hardy and is the primary food source for the giant pandas. The first year, the stems are leafless, dark purple, round, and hollow. In the second year of growth, there is branching of the stems, and the leaves are dense at the top of the stem. The plant then develops an arching and weeping form. This plant may be used as an ornamental hedge, screen, or container planting. Quick ID Clump-forming bamboo with cane-like growth Long, sheathed, linear leaves with ciliate ligules Purplish stems/culms Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease issues . Monitor for slugs, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. It is usually disease-resistant, but root rot can occur. Plant in a location that protects the plant from direct afternoon sun and harsh winter winds. The leaves can curl from the intense sunlight.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 55 attributes.
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