What Is the Strongest Clumping Bamboo?

Strongest Canes

• While running bamboos can be used for flooring, scaffolding, cabinetry and the like, clumpers have thinner, more flexible canes and aren’t often used for construction. In the Chusquea genus, however, which has characteristics of both clumping and running bamboo, C. gigantea grows 24 feet tall with nearly 2-inch canes and forms a slowly spreading grove of straight, upright canes strong enough for building projects. It is hardy to 5 degrees. Fargesia murieliae “Jumbo” has strong canes nearly an inch in diameter and is frequently used for hedging.

Strongest Tolerance for Cold

• The Fargesia genus contains clumping bamboos strong enough to resist temperatures colder than minus 5 degrees, such as those in USDA zone 5. F. denudata is hardy to minus 10 degrees; F. rufa is hardy to minus 15 degrees; and F. nitida, F. murielae and F. Jiuzhaigou are hardy to minus 20 degrees. The Fargesia genus, like most clumping bamboos, prefer a bright but shaded site in well-drained, acidic soil; protect them from hot afternoon sun. They grow from 10 to 15 feet tall with ½-inch-wide canes, although F. Jiuzhiagou has 1-inch canes.

Strongest Grower

• Fargesia, the fastest clumping bamboo, grows an average of 1 to 3 feet in height each year, while running bamboos average 3 to 5 feet. Established plants grow faster. For strong growth, site the clumping bamboo in part shade and water and fertilize it regularly. Clumpers grow best in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; they won’t grow as big or healthy in the South. The largest canes, 1 inch in diameter, come from F. robusta and F. Jiuzhiagou, Borinda macclureana, Chusquea culeou and Thamnocalamus tesselatus.

Care

• Bamboo needs plenty of water, so soak new plants daily in hot weather and established plants at least once a week. Mulch the base of the planting with 3 inches of compost, manure or shredded leaves to keep the moisture level even and provide nutrition. Fertilize monthly with an organic lawn fertilizer. In colder climates, mulch the bamboo with a thick layer of straw, shredded leaves or wood chips for winter protection. Let the shed bamboo leaves collect around the base of the plant, as they keep the soil soft and moist and provide potassium as they break down.