Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda Macrophylla

Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda 'Macrophylla' is a medium-sized to modest bamboo with a remarkable pattern. Its upright canes, a beautiful green with a hint of pale yellow-olive, are adorned with swollen and flattened nodes that are quite spectacular, and they bear a gorgeous feathery foliage, curiously arranged in layers. With a wide and beautifully architectural habit, the plant looks wonderful in a grove. Perfectly at ease in a large pot or container, this collectible bamboo will surely pique the curiosity of all. Slightly spreading, evergreen, cold and heat resistant, it thrives in partial shade, in cool and deep soil. 

Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda 'Macrophylla' (synonym qiongzhuea tumidinoda) is native to valleys in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan, near the borders of Myanmar and Vietnam. Introduced to England in 1987, it has slowly spread in Europe where it remains rare in cultivation. Perfectly adapted to temperate climates, it can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C (5 °F). Like all bamboos, it belongs to the family Poaceae or grasses. This moderately growing bamboo exhibits a wide, open and particularly flexible habit. It has trailing rhizomes that slowly colonize the soil around the stumps. Its culms (or canes) are a pale olive green, lightly tinged with yellow, with a diameter of 2 to 3cm (0.8 to 1.2in), reaching heights of 3 to 5m (9ft 10in to 16ft 5in). One of the characteristics of this bamboo lies in its wide and flattened nodes resembling cymbals, arranged at regular intervals along the culms. Their diameter often doubles that of the internodes. Its evergreen foliage, with a delicate appearance, consists of long, narrow leaves in a beautiful light green colour, slightly trailing.

Relatively easy to grow, hardy against both cold and occasional drought, this bamboo allows for the creation of scenes of great poetry, reminiscent of Japanese maples. It is perfectly suited for Zen, exotic or contemporary gardens. Avoid planting it in extremely hot sun, excessively dry soils, and windy locations. It can be planted as a hedge, in isolated groups, or even in containers where it performs very well. It integrates quite easily into the garden, pairing well with trees such as the caramel tree, Japanese maple in all its forms, and certain weeping conifers. In a more shrub-like bed, it accompanies the sacred bamboo, Euonymus, or Loropetalum. It can also be combined with black bamboo and different Fargesia species with distinct stems and foliage, for a highly successful tropical scene. With its unique pattern, Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda 'Macrophylla' is the ideal bamboo to bring a very exotic character to even the most modest setting!

In Asia, the culms of this bamboo are used to make umbrella and walking canes. In fact, Charlie Chaplin's famous cane was made of Chinobambusa tumidissinoda.