Fargesia

As plants native to cool forest areas, Fargesias generally prefer or require cool conditions and partial shade. Especially near the southern limit of their range of cultivation, Fargesias are likely to thrive best where they receive some shade during the hottest part of the day. Bright, open shade, where there is plenty of light but not much direct, hot sun is favorable. Near the southern limit of cultivation it is also helpful to situate the plants where the soil remains as cool as possible. For example, the soil on a north-facing slope will be relatively cool, other things being equal, as will soil which is shaded.

Some Fargesias are fairly tolerant of full sun, under favorable conditions. In general, the cooler the summer temperatures and the better established the Fargesia specimen, the more likely it is to tolerate full sun. When attempting to establish small Fargesia plants in locations exposed to direct mid-day (i.e., about 11:00 to 3:00) sun, it would be a good idea to provide a bit of shade for the plant until it is well foliaged and capable of shading the soil over its root system. The shading arrangement need not be elaborate; just enough shade is needed to keep the lower portion (perhaps the lower one-half to two-thirds) of the plant and the soil over its root system from baking in the hot sun. The plant should still be allowed to receive plenty of bright light. It is also a good idea when planting young Fargesias (or other plants with arching stems) in locations subject to hot sun to orient the stems so that they lean toward the sun. Doing so helps to prevent stem injuries caused by overheating.

Some Fargesia species have proved to be surprisingly tolerant of hot greenhouse temperatures here (this is noted in the species description). Such species will likely be adapted to cultivation in much warmer climates than the very cold-hardy but heat- intolerant species such as Fargesia nitida. The actual range of cultivation for the heat-tolerant species has not been established, so growing them in warm climates (such as USDA hardiness zone 8 and warmer zones) should be considered experimental. The Fargesia species are all native to temperate regions, and even the heat-tolerant types may require some winter chilling in order to grow satisfactorily.

Fargesias prefer a moderately fertile soil which is moist but well-drained and well aerated. A slightly acidic pH is likely to be favorable. As is true of other bamboos, Fargesias appreciate an organic mulch.

Because Fargesias do not spread, they are well suited for use as hedges, screens, or specimens, or wherever space is limited. The plants typically form dense clumps with the outer culms in the clump arching outwards, away from the center. The result is a fountain-like effect. Fargesias are relatively slow to propagate, and are in great demand as ornamentals, due to their desirable combination of characteristics.