Thamnocalamus crassinodus is a graceful clumping bamboo that is native to the high mountainous pine and spruce forests of Tibet. New canes emerge with a beautiful gray blue sheen, changing to burgundy and purple with exposure to sunlight. As with most of these species of bamboo, the culm sheaths are somewhat persistent, which adds texture and color to the newly developing canes. The foliage is small and feathery, giving an open and airy appearance to the entire clump. This bamboo does best in our area in partial shade. The average plant height in our area is twelve to fourteen feet, with a culm diameter of about a half of an inch. Although slow to establish, T. crassinodus is a wonderful addition to a garden as a focal vertical element.
