4 Beautiful Well Behaved Clumping Bamboos

Bamboo is a lovely tropical looking plant that has a variety of applications - most notably as an evergreen screen, a specimen and even a container plant. Over the years, bamboo has developed a bad reputation because of its ability to take over the garden, the yard beside you and possibly the entire neighborhood!


However, not all Bamboo's are aggressive or spreading. In fact, Bamboos are divided into two groups, the invasive "running varieties" and the well behaved "clumping varieties".

The clumpers form tight, slowly growing masses that do not need containment. They can be planted directly into the garden without worry. All bamboos grow by way of underground rhizomes or in laymans terms, roots. The key difference between the groups is how they spread. On running varieties, these rhizomes travel underground a certain distance and then form a node. At the node, they can either form an upward growing cane, or continue to spread to form additional rhizomes. As a result, they are able to fill an area quickly and their above ground canes tends to be spread out. On the other hand, when a clumping variety forms an underground node, it will only grow up as a cane. Therefore it spreads much slower and remains much tighter in appearance.

Clumping varieties give a lot of options for landscapes. Some are very narrow clumping and this alone gives an architectural look that is pleasing. Clumping varieties do not outgrow containers as quickly and they are more ‘behaved’ in the garden, so we can all remain ‘good neighbours’. They do not grow as fast, so one must be patient for them to reach their desired height.

Borinda angustissima:

Angustissima, means ‘extremely narrow’, even the foliage on this variety are narrower and more delicate. This is one of the tightest growing bamboos, clumps only reach 18-24”, and therefore is great for containers or narrow areas in a garden. This vase shaped, graceful bamboo can grow up to 18 ft tall and can have canes up to 1” in diameter on older canes. It prefers part shade. Plant spacing recommended at 5-8ft on center.

Borinda boliana

This open clumping bamboo will grow similar to timber bamboo but without spreading rhizomes! New canes come up with a tinge of blue and turn shades of burgundy depending on exposure to sun. A unique choice for the urban garden. This more open habit bamboo can grow up to 30 feet and have canes up to 2 inches in diameter. Best spaced 8-12 feet on center.

Sunset Glow Bamboo

Fargesia 'Rufa'

Another cold hardy clumping bamboo, that does extremely well in our climate. Rufa has orange-red cane sheaths, and is noted for it’s very dense foliage and quick growth. It clumps into a nice full plant quickly and is therefore desirable for using as a small screen or hedge, as well as in pots! It will grow in sun or shade to a height of up to 8ft. The diameter of the canes is only about a half inch. It is wind tolerant and spacing is recommended at 5-8ft on centre.

Thamnocalamus crassinodus

This graceful clumping bamboo needs shade to perform best. One of the best features is new canes that emerge a grey-blue, turning to hues of burgundy, with light sun exposure. It has a delicate foliage, and is slower to establish than other bamboos, but becomes a prized garden specimen with age. It will grow up to 18ft tall and have canes up to an inch in diameter. Plant spacing recommended at 5-8ft on centre.

 
 
 
Art's Nursery carries a large and wide assortment of clumping and running bamboos ranging from small specimen varieties to giant timber bamboos. Please call ahead, 604.882.1201, to confirm availability if you are looking for something specific.