How big do these clumpers really get????

21 years ago

I've got all of my new bamboos planted, but I am so worried I haven't allowed enough growing space for them. I have good information on height, diameter of culms, hardiness, etc. etc, but what seems to be missing is how wide they get at the base and in the canopy in say, five years under very good culture. I probably should have inquired on this forum before I planted them, but I figure it's not too late to make adjustments, so would appreciate some advice.

Borinda fungosa

Fargesia robusta

Himalayacalamus asper

Himalaycalamus 'Damarapa'

Himalaycalmus 'Blue' & 'Teague's Blue'

Drep. khasianum

Drep. sengteeanum

Jan

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Comments (4)

ian_wa
21 years ago
Borinda fungosa... not sure maybe 15-20'
Fargesia robusta usually about 18'
Himalayacalamus asper 20'
Himalaycalamus 'Damarapa' 15'

I'm not sure about the others. As I'm sure you know, a lot depends on the amount of light and water you provide the plants - but those heights are typical.
koniferkid_nj
21 years ago
When they get to wide-just divide them and I'll be happy to take them off your hands...Seriously though, if they do get to wide just offer them on the exchange list and you'll definately get takers for all of them or you could trade them for some newer bamboos which you might like.

Just remember-to give is better than to recieve...
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keywh0le
21 years ago
Jan,

I can vouch for the Himalayacalamus and Fargesia (a friend has some mature specimens, and there are also good mature specimens at the Strybing Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park). 10-year old plants of H. Asper and Damarapa might spread 4-5 feet at the base if you're lucky and heights of 15-20 feet, that sounds about right. Most of the mountain bamboos are slow to spread so depending on the size of your plants initially I don't think you'll have much to worry about for quite a few years. Most of these are also fairly straight growing too, so the top mass might be double or triple the base diameter but not a whole lot bigger.

The great thing about these, as has been mentioned, is when they spread farther than you'd like you can get a good sharp shovel or digging bar and chop away at the perimeter of the grove. There will always be takers for the kind of bamboo you've chosen and they'll probably be happy to dig it themselves.

Check out Strybing if you get up to the city, they have some great bamboo.
echolane
Original Author
21 years ago
Got really busy planting all those new bamboos and getting ready for unexpected out of town guests. So apologies for "disappearing" and not being more prompt about saying Thank You for the helpful responses.

It is a real relief to hear that the mountain bamboos are slow to expand (whew!). And easily contained and/or pieces passed on or traded.

I've been to the Bamboo Garden at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills twice, which I enjoyed, but I didn't realize that Strybing had bamboos, so will definitely put it on my list of places to go.

Cheers!