Description:

Thamnocalamus crassinodus is a superlative clumping bamboo with a gracefully arching habit, delicate, airy foliage, and beautifully colored culms; new culms emerge a glaucous blue-green, and will age to a deep burgundy-red.  This bamboo will have to recieve a few hours of morning sun to acheive the best coloring, but needs protection from afternoon sun to prevent leaf curl.  It is most happy in full shade, thriving in moist, rich, organic, slightly acid soils.  Under ideal conditions, this bamboo establishes quickly, reaching a maximum height of nearly 20’ with a culm diameter a little under .5”, and it’s hardy to about 10 degrees F.

Planting History:

I acquired my first plant from Bamboo Gardener in fall 2002 and planted it out in a location where it received bright shade and a few hours afternoon sun.  Over the 2003 and 2004 growing seasons, this proved to be a vigorous and prolific bamboo, even though the leaves fold and look stressed with exposure to sunlight.  In September 2004, I dug it up and took several divisions, planting one of them to a location fully shaded in the afternoon by surrounding bamboos.  Over the 2005 growing season, it produced many new shoots from 6’-8’ tall.  The growth rate, as well as the beauty of this bamboo, is very impressive,

Container plants I have purchased for resale are somewhat slow, and tend to be a little sensitive to freezing temperatures.

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