Borinda macclureana

Borinda macclureana is an exciting new introduction to America with terrific garden possibilities for the Northwest. This plant is a large elegant hardy clumping bamboo from Tibet that should perform well in Portland. Originally collected in 1938 as dried herbarium specimens by Ludlow, Sherriff and Taylor it is the representative of the type species for the new genus Borinda. Recently it was collected again by Keith Rushford in the same location at Kongbo, Molo, Valley of Lilung Chhu in Tibet at the 3,500M elevation (over 11,000 feet.)

Borinda macclureana was named after the well known scientist and bamboo expert, Dr. Floyd A. McClure in 1958. At the time it did not fit into any known genus and was unfortunately lost in obscurity for decades. With the recent collections by Keith Rushford exact identification is assured even with several numbered clones existing in Europe. The KR clones have subtle variations but they are all of the type species.

This bamboo is cold hardy to 10° F as a mature clump. Some protection is warranted for a new planting until it's well established. Typical of the Borinda genus the new culms have a blue-ish color that turns to light green rather quickly. The leaves are large and rather tropical looking with dark purple branching inherent to the species. Borinda macclureana should be very resistant to mites because of the pubescent (hairy) undersides of the leaf.

Borinda macclureana is reported to grow 26 feet tall in Europe and here in the Northwest we're hoping to achieve at least 20 feet in height after a few growing seasons. Since it is a clump-type bamboo, it can be planted in the garden without fear of it spreading out of control. Borinda macclureana forms a massive dense clump of bamboo at maturity and is not for small gardens. A partial sun environment seems to be ideal but we suspect it could take a full sun planting site here and still perform well with adequate summer irrigation. Very rare with limited availability.

2008 Update - 5 gallon size, 6 feet tall, showed a little cold damage at 18F degrees in December.

2009 Update - New culms 9 feet tall, showed a little cold damage at 14F degrees in February.

2010 Update - New culms 12 feet tall, showed no cold damage to 18F degrees in November and again in February.

2011 Update - New culms 16 feet tall. Very tightly clumped.