Fountain Bamboo
Fargesia nitida
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Fargesia nitida is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 4 m (13ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
Damp semi-wooded regions. Found at altitudes up to 3000 metres on the northern sides of mountains.
E. Asia - C. and W. China in Szechwan and Kansu.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
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Medicine
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Other
Rating:
The plant makes a good dense shelter hedge. The canes can be used as plant supports, they can also be woven into hurdles etc and used in basket making, sieves, light construction and fencing.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Plant support: Usually bamboos, used as canes in the garden for holding up plants.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Tolerates a wide range of soils and sites but prefers a damp humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade. Plants are best grown in the shade, their leaves curling up when in strong sunlight. Dislikes drought. A slow growing plant, it prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds. This species is particularly sensitive to cold winds. Most leaves are produced at the tops of the stems. A very ornamental and hardy bamboo, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. The plant has a running rootstock but it only spreads slowly in the British climate and never becomes invasive. New shoots are produced from late May. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out, which could take 2 - 3 years. The plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available. Division as the plants come into growth in spring. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more. Basal cane cuttings. Rhizome cuttings.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;
Habit: Bamboo
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
Arundinaria nitida. Fargesia nitida.