Formerly grown in the USA for several years as T. aristatus, this bamboo has been identified by Dr. Chris Stapleton as T. crassinodus. It is from the eastern Himalayas and is one of our tallest semi-hardy clump-type bamboos. Probably best suited to cool coastal areas, this plant is one of the most delicate looking bamboos available. The culms are slender, with a beautiful pastel blue color on the new shoots. The leaves, small an with a feather-like texture, drape from a burgundy branch.
During a normal winter in Portland, Oregon, this bamboo is more attractive than either Fargesia nitida or Fargesia murielae. We have seen it get 18 feet tall in Astoria, OR, planted on the east side of a house with a half day of direct sunlight. Quite rare and beautiful. When the temperature drops below 15 F, T. crassinodus will lose most of its foliage but should grow back in the spring.
