Chusquea coronalis (Mexican Climbing Bamboo) - One of the most beautiful of the bamboos. This slow-growing clump-forming bamboo has gracefully arching solid culms to 15 feet tall. These narrow culms hold tiny leaves in whorls at their nodes. The tendency of culms is to arch back to the ground creates a fluffy, soft appearance.
Plant in full to part coastal sun and water regularly to occasionally. Protect from frosts (Hardy to 28 degrees F) and extreme heat or reflected sun. This is a wonderful specimen for containers, especially around a pond or water feature but it is not unusual for this bamboo to look a bit chlorotic through the winter months. A good dose of fertilizer in the early spring will green it up quickly.
Chusquea coronalis is native to Sinaloa, Colima, Chiapas in Mexico and south through Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica. The name for the genus comes from a South American (Colombian) native name for Chusquea scandens, the type species of the genus and the specific epithet is from the Latin words 'corona' meaning a "crown" combined with '-alis' meaning "pertaining to' in reference to the delicate whorls of small leaves that resemble a crown.
There are some beautiful specimens in the Japanese garden in Lotusland in Montecito, California. We grew this beautiful plant from 1993 until 2022.
The information about Chusquea coronalis displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |