Fargesia robusta is a good choice for a clumping bamboo that can create a narrow screen, being taller, more upright, and more robust than Fargesia nitida and Fargesia murielae. This species has dark green foliage and light green culms, with new shoots that are hairy and rusty red upon emergence from the ground in early spring. The culm sheaths persist and soon fade to a light color, almost white, giving the culms a very attractive checkerboard look in the spring through early summer. This bamboo is more sun tolerant than most other Fargesia, but in a warmer climate it would prefer protection from the hot afternoon sun.

An intriguing specimen from a later collection is known in Europe as F. robusta 'Robusta'. The name seems redundant, but it is reputed to be very tall and upright, with a larger leaf than the 'Campbell' and purple tones on the branches. Decorative. We have a few that we are developing, keep an eye out for this one.

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