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Fargesia

Common name: Clumping bamboo · Fountain bamboo · Umbrella bamboo

Fargesia is a genus of clumping bamboos native to the mountains of central and western China and the eastern Himalayas, where several species are the staple food of wild giant pandas. Plants form dense, slowly expanding clumps of slender canes with fine, arching, fountain-like foliage, and unlike running bamboos they do not spread invasively. Among the most cold-hardy bamboos in cultivation, they are widely grown as evergreen screens, hedges, and specimen plants, and are notably more shade-tolerant than most bamboos.

Fun facts

  • Fargesia species make up most of the wild giant panda's diet in the mountains of Sichuan, China.
  • Unlike running bamboos, Fargesia grows in tight clumps and needs no rhizome barrier.
  • The genus is named after Paul Guillaume Farges, a French missionary and plant collector in China.
  • Some species are among the most cold-hardy bamboos known, surviving temperatures near -20 F (-29 C).

Care summary

Sun Partial shade preferred; tolerates full sun in cool, moist climates
Water Keep evenly moist; water deeply in dry spells and dislikes drought
Soil Rich, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Hardiness Zones 5–9
Mature height 2–5 m (7–16 ft)
Pet safe Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs
Propagation By clump division in spring

Common problems

    • Plant in morning sun or light shade
    • Water deeply during hot dry spells
    • Mulch roots to keep them cool
    • Plant in afternoon shade
    • Mulch thickly to keep roots cool
    • Water deeply during heat waves
    • Choose cooler, sheltered planting sites
    • Water containers daily in summer
    • Mulch to slow soil drying
    • Move pots out of hot sun
    • Check soil moisture before it dries fully
    • Cut flowering culms to the ground
    • Feed with balanced fertilizer after flowering
    • Keep soil evenly moist while recovering
    • Divide healthy surviving clumps