Fargesia murielae
Common name: Umbrella bamboo · Muriel bamboo
Fargesia murielae is a clump-forming evergreen bamboo native to the mountain forests of Hubei in central China. It grows 3–4.6 m tall with slender green canes that arch outward under the weight of dense, fine foliage, giving the plant its umbrella-like silhouette. Because it is a true clumper with no running rhizomes, it stays where it is planted, and its unusual shade tolerance makes it one of the most popular bamboos for screens, hedges, and woodland gardens in cool climates.
Care summary
Sun
Partial shade to full sun; prefers shelter from hot afternoon sun
Water
Keep evenly moist; dislikes drought and waterlogging
Soil
Rich, moist but well-drained loam; tolerates clay
Hardiness
Zones 5–9
Mature height
3–4.6 m (10–15 ft)
Pet safe
Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
By division of established clumps in early spring
Fun facts
- The species name honours Muriel, daughter of French botanist Edmond Gustave Camus; it was formerly known as Arundinaria murielae.
- It was introduced to Western gardens from China by plant collector Ernest Wilson around 1907.
- Unlike most bamboos, it thrives in shade, having evolved in the understory of Chinese mountain forests.
- Like many bamboos it flowers only after several decades, and flowering clumps often decline or die back afterwards.