Clumping Bamboo Plants

Clumping bamboos can be used in a small garden without containment or root pruning. We have both semi-tropical clumping bamboos and cold, hardy, temperate clumping bamboos. Semi-tropical clumping bamboos such as Bambusa are best suited for zone 7 and up and will need some protection from the cold in zone 7 by heavy mulching and a slightly warmer microclimate. Cold, hardy, temperate clumping bamboos such as Fargesias are best suited for climate zones 5 through 7 but will need protection from the hot afternoon sun in zone 7. The Borindas will need protection from extreme cold and a shady location to protect them from the sun in the heat of the Summer here in Central North Carolina.

Bambusa Multiplex “Alphonse Karr” has bright yellow culms with green vertical stripes and dark green leaves. New shoots appear pink. Culms grow very close to one another, and numerous branches sprout from each node or joint on the culms. This clumping bamboo needs protection from extreme cold temperatures. Bambusa Multiplex Alphonse Karr does very well in full sun and is somewhat drought tolerant but will benefit from watering 2-3 times per week.

Bambusa Multiplex “Fern Leaf” is an excellent hedge bamboo named after the tiny fern-like leaves per branch. This clumping bamboo also likes the full sun and will need protection from extremely cold temperatures. Like other Bambusa bamboos, this is drought tolerant but will benefit from watering 2-3 times per week until it is fully established. This bamboo will remain evergreen down to 18°F but will leaf out again in June if the temperatures do not go much lower.

Bambusa Multiplex “Golden” is very similar to the Bambusa Multiplex “Fern Leaf,” except the culms are more golden. This clumping bamboo also likes the full sun and will need protection from extremely cold temperatures. Like other Bambusa bamboos, this is drought tolerant but will benefit from watering 2-3 times per week until it is fully established.  This bamboo will remain evergreen down to 18°F but will leaf out again in June if the temperatures do not go much lower.

Bambusa Multiplex “Hedge Bamboo” is the most common giant tropical bamboo sold and grown in the U.S. Similar to the Bambusa Multiplex “Fern Leaf” except the leaves are larger. Like other Bambusa bamboos, this is drought tolerant but will benefit from watering 2-3 times per week until it is fully established. This bamboo will remain evergreen down to 18°F but will leaf out again in June if the temperatures do not go much lower.

Bambusa Multiplex “Riviereorum” is a smaller bamboo than the other Bambusa. This clumping bamboo also likes the full sun and will need protection from extremely cold temperatures. Like other Bambusa bamboos, this is drought tolerant but will benefit from watering 2-3 times per week until it is fully established. This bamboo will remain evergreen down to 18°F but will leaf out again in June if the temperatures do not go much lower.

The culms of Bambusa Multiplex “Silverstripe” are straight and erect with relatively short branches. The leaves are wider than other Bambusa, with random white stripes and an occasional white stripe on the culms. This clumping bamboo also prefers full sun and will need protection from cold temperatures. Like other Bambusa bamboos, this is drought tolerant but will benefit from watering 2-3 times per week until it is fully established.  This bamboo will remain evergreen down to 18°F but will leaf out again in June if the temperatures do not go much lower.

This is a cold-sensitive clumping bamboo that does well in full sun and will especially need protection from extremely cold temperatures. Bambusa oldhamii bamboos are drought tolerant but will benefit from watering 2-3 times per week until fully established. Here in Central North Carolina, there will be a great house plant for a sunroom. In a large pot, it can reach 8 to 12 feet tall. A good moisture control potting soil will be all you need in the beginning, with occasional leaf misting if some leaves dry out.

This is one of the few clumping bamboos that does well in zone 7. It has long arching purple stems with feathery green leaves. Borindas are hardy down to 10°F.  In the south, it prefers moist, partially shaded sites. Like Fargesias, this bamboo originates from the mountain regions of China.

Another Borinda that does well in zone 7. It has long arching blue stems with medium-sized light green leaves. Borindas are hardy down to 10°F. In the south, it prefers moist, mostly shady sites. This variety is the largest of the Borindas. To reach its full height, the temperature needs to be between 30°F and 85 d°F. Here in Central North Carolina, I have seen it max out at 12 feet.

Fargesia Dracocephala Rufa grows to about 8 feet tall when mature here in Central North Carolina. In the Pacific Northwest, it is noted to get as tall as 10 feet. This is a vigorous grower, sending up many new culms each season. The new culms are orange/red and leaf out early in the Summer, making it an excellent choice where its rapid growth is desired. This variety has proven itself to be the best-performing clumper here in the Southeast, withstanding both the recent colder Winters and the usual hot Summers.

Fargesia Robusta grows 9-12 feet tall when mature here in Central North Carolina. In the Pacific Northwest, it is noted to get as tall as 16 feet.  Even though the plants max out at a taller height, they size up slower than the Fargesia Rufa. The leaves are smaller than the Fargesia Robusta Wolong variety. This variety has proven itself to be one of the few clumpers here in the Southeast, withstanding both the recent colder Winters and the usual hot Summers. It is also known as Fargesia Robusta “Campbell.”

Fargesia Robusta Wolong grows 9-12 feet tall when mature here in Central North Carolina. In the Pacific Northwest, it is noted to get as tall as 17 feet. Like the standard Fargesia Robusta, it sizes up slower than the Fargesia Rufa. The leaves are larger than other Fargesia Robusta varieties and are very similar to the Phyllostachys bamboos. This variety has proven itself to be one of the few clumpers here in the Southeast, withstanding both the recent colder Winters and the usual hot Summers.