Similar in form to the Campbell cultivar, Fargesia robusta Green Screen™ has also become extremely popular in the landscape trade. The original plant named 'Pingwu' was collected in 1997 by famed European bamboo nurseryman Jos van der Palen of Kimmei Nursery. It was collected at nearly 9,000 feet in elevation very close to where the Campbell form was collected. This variant was selected for large scale tissue culture by Jan Oprins of Bamboo Select in Belgium. He chose this particular form of Fargesia robusta based on the exceptional vigor and superior plant characteristics. My friends at Bamboo Select US have recently made this plant available in the United States for the first time. It is propagated locally at a tissue culture lab in McMinnville, Oregon. 

Fargesia robusta Green Screen™ has larger flatter leaves than 'Campbell'. In our garden it also tends to make a slightly wider clump. Like the Campbell cultivar this bamboo can handle full sun in Portland with no sign of distress as well as full shade. If possible some protection from the hot sun during the summer months will help maintain it's dark green coloring. The non-invasive rhizome structure and large size it is expected to attain at maturity (10 to 12 feet tall) make it a wonderful choice as a garden feature bamboo. It's also an excellent choice for privacy screening because of the erect stature and dense green foliage. Fargesia robusta Green Screen™ is very wind tolerant for Eastside folks and extremely drought tolerant for people who like low maintenance plants.

This bamboo sells out quickly each season so don't hesitate to obtain one when you see it available.