Photo Copyright: Noah Bell, Bamboo Garden '09
 
Photo copyright Ned Jaquith 2004
Close up of orange culm sheath.



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Rare and Collectable Bamboo

Maximum Height: 12-14 feet
Diameter: 0.5 to .75 inches
Hardiness: -5° F
USDA zone 6 through 9, not for climates with high heat and humidity (southeastern states).
 

    This elegant bamboo was collected in 1997 from the mountains of Pingwu county in Sichuan, China at an elevation over 8,500 feet. Imported by Jos van der Palen of Kimmei Nursery in Holland.

Fargesia sp. ‘Scabrida’ has perhaps the most exciting colors of any hardy clumping bamboo: the young culms have dark orange sheaths, opening gradually to reveal steel-blue and lavender culms, aging to an olive green.  The leaves are dark green and slender, with a graceful, airy arrangement.

Like F. robusta, it has many desirable qualities:  fairly upright habit, vigorous growth, and more sun-tolerant than most other Fargesia.  Although still rare, it has great potential. For further reading about this interesting bamboo see: Shweeash Bamboo.