The world of bamboo is filled with endless surprises. Both species have a similar climate preference, growing best in cool, shady conditions, while tolerating winters down to about 15º F. Over time, the upper half of the tall culms will fill in with long, green leaves and begin to arch over with a graceful, attractive appearance. papyrifera will reach up to 15-20 feet tall. Similar in size, but slightly taller than chocolate bamboo, B. Papyrifera means “paper-making”, yet this ornamental bamboo is not ordinarily used for making into pulp or paper. papyrifera is also distinctive for its oversized, paper-like culm sheaths which give the species its name. As they age, the poles lose their powder and their blueish color, fading slowly to yellowish-green.Ĭheck out our in-depth article to find more varieties of Blue Bamboo.ī. fungosa, this species offers an unusually colorful contrast against the common greens of the average garden. Rather than deep reddish culms, the canes of B. One more species of Borinda worth mentioning is chocolate bamboo’s cousin, Borinda papyrifera. Chocolate bamboo also grows fairly well in a large pot or container, although it probably won’t get as large or as lush as it would in open ground. They grow quickly and vigorously, yet the clumps remain fairly tight and compact, so you don’t have to worry about them taking over. Overall, this is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for species of bamboo, so long as you’re in the right climate with mild summers and not too terribly cold winters. Harvested poles have an attractive ornamental quality, but are not especially strong or well-suited for crafts and building. Under ideal conditions, the foliage is bounteous and cascades gracefully. Thin, delicate, light-green leaves grow densely, especially around the culm nodes. Individual culms only get about an inch in diameter. The plants will usually grow 10 to 12 feet, or up to 15 feet high, significantly taller than most Fargesias. As you can see, they are actually closer to raspberry than chocolate, but there’s no need to split hairs. With more direct sunlight, the canes turn a beautiful shade of dark red or magenta. The most notable feature of Borinda fungosa, of course, is the vibrant coloration of its culms. But if you’re in Southern California or Florida, you might try growing Dendrocalamus membranaceus, a big tropical bamboo with culms that turn chocolate brown as it ages, and with more sun exposure. If you live in a hot, humid tropical like the Southern US, it’s not recommended. It also prefers some amount of shade, especially in the afternoons. This species is more sensitive to heat, and will not do well in hot, humid climates like the American Southeast.Ĭhocolate bamboo is ideal in mild climates like the Pacific Northwest. But the plant will survive at least to 10º F. The leaves and shoots of Borinda fungosa will incur first damage at around 20º F. Still, chocolate bamboo is not nearly as hardy as the Fargesias, which can commonly endure temperatures as low as 10 or 20º below zero Fahrenheit. But as with all things in nature, these rules have exceptions. Generally speaking, clumping bamboos are tropical, while running bamboos are the temperate ones. These comprise an unusual category of bamboos that are clumping and yet very cold-hardy. Characteristics of chocolate bamboo: Borinda fungosaĬhocolate bamboo belongs to the genus Borinda, which is closely related to the genus Fargesia. The plant takes its name from the slender culms that turn a deep reddish-brown with more sun exposure, and typically reach 10-15 feet high. Ideal for cooler climates and shady settings, this rare species makes a beautiful hedge or a striking centerpiece. And yet it has so many favorable characteristics.Ĭhocolate bamboo, or Borinda fungosa, formerly called Fargesia fungosa, is a clumping, ornamental bamboo native to the low mountains of Southern China. But Borinda fungosa is not high on the list of popular bamboo species. So what took me so long to discover chocolate bamboo? After all, it combines two of my favorite things in the world. I’ve been enjoying refreshing bamboo landscapes and renewable bamboo products for decades.
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