Bambusa chungii barbellata

Bambusa chungii Barbellata

Bambusa chungii barbellata

Also known as Barbie Bamboo, enjoys all the features of it’s namesake Bambusa chungii but in a slightly smaller package. With culms reaching heights of about 25 feet and 1 1/2 inches in diameter, it is perfect for those collectors that don’t have the room for the much larger Bambusa chungii. This is another tropical clumping type of bamboo which is for the most part considered non-invasive.  The new culms are covered with a light powder which gives them that soft, baby blue color from which it gets it’s nickname.  It grows well in full sun or part shade, and is cold hardy down to the lower 20’s Fahrenheit.  Makes an excellent focal point landscape specimen or works wonderfully as a natural living hedge.

My brother originally purchased some propagations of Bambusa chungii barbellata from Roy Rogers in Tampa, FL, and while it put up onc nice shoot before the winter, the freeze that first year in Central Florida did quite a bit of damage to it.  However, it did rebound nicely but he has since sold his property there.

I however on the other hand have a very lovely stand that was planted in 2016 that is doing quite nice here in Northeast Florida.  I actually have it planted where it gets some filtered morning sun and maybe some late afternoon sun, and it seems to enjoy it nicely.