Fargesia nitida ‘Black Pearl’

Description

Fargesia nitida ‘Black Pearl’ is another really good selection from seedlings produced by the flowering of Fargesia nitida, the Fountain bamboo a few years ago. ‘Black Pearl’ has been selected not only for its vigour and robust upright growth but also for the deep purply black canes it produces. In addition the lush fresh green foliage is produced in profusion and cascades amongst the canes. Fargesia nitida ‘Black Pearl’ is rightly known as a fountain bamboo by it’s graceful habit of upright canes that are held vertically only to arch over at the tips. The effect is further enhanced by the delicacy of the leaves which are produced in profusion. The canes themselves vary in colour from a fresh green to a deep purple black, in fact the stems can be so black that it is sometimes mistaken for the black bamboo. Fargesia nitida ‘Black Pearl’ usually grow around 3 to 4 metres high and is a very tightly clump forming bamboo. As with all bamboo once you have chosen a suitable location I recommend good soil preparation, bamboo are shallow rooted and will really enjoy the addition of well rotted farmyard manure mixed with your soil when planting. Water the bamboo thoroughly before and after planting and make sure it doesn’t dry out until established. By that I mean keep it moist but not flooded, bamboo don’t like to be drowned either. Once established it shouldn’t need additional watering but will benefit from an annual mulch with a good organic compost (I use composted horse manure) and the occasional feed (I use pelleted poultry manure, a generous handful) in spring and summer. Like it’s parent Fargesia nitida I’ve seen this bamboo growning in a container on a shady patio or courtyard to great effect. Grown this way it seems to be happy reaching 2-3 metres high and is very graceful and oriental looking. Grown in the ground in a sheltered from strong winds and dappled shade Fargesia nitida ‘Black Pearl’ makes a beautiful specimen bamboo between 3-4 metres high.

• Position:Shade to part shade out of cold, drying winds - especially coastal winds.
• Foliage:Evergreen.
• Habit:Dense/Arching/Clump forming/Non-invasive.
• Soil:All soils, but avoid waterlogged areas very dry soils will need extra watering.