Clumping Bamboo (fargesia rufa)

A recent introduction from China’s Sichuan Province, this species is a vigorous, upright grower with handsome, dense, dark green, glossy foliage. The long, narrow leaves are carried on pink branchlets. Culms are yellow-green when new aging to a ruddy color. The name “rufa”, meaning “red”, refers to the distinctive orange-red culm sheaths. Tolerant of full sun, but probably happiest in light shade, at least in warm climates. New to cultivation in the U.S, its size at maturity and its cold hardiness remain to be precisely determined. It has shown excellent cold hardiness, and should be top hardy to at least 10°F. Some sources indicate that the plant is top hardy to -15°F. More observations are needed to determine its level of heat tolerance. A rare and beautiful garden specimen.