Dragon Head Bamboo | Fargesia rufa
Not just loved by pandas!
Grown by Mike's trusted specialists
Europe
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Dragon Head Bamboo
Fargesia rufa
- Dragon head bamboo is certainly worthy of the moniker, with its canes roaring upwards while young before arching slightly with age. Also known as fountain bamboo, this attractive plant features verdant foliage, the year-round leaves adorning the culms like an ancient dragon's scales.
- Starting out a bold green colour, the colour of the stems fade to paler green and yellow shades as they mature. Reaching an ultimate height of just three metres or so, Fargesia rufa is perfect for smaller gardens, and its clump-forming nature makes it much easier to contain. You could even grow this bamboo in a large patio planter.
- Hardy and easy to grow, dragon head bamboo also makes an excellent addition to sensory gardens, with the sound of wind weaving through the plant's culms offering a true treat for the ears.
- Immensely popular in traditional Japanese tea gardens, this bamboo can be planted alongside acers, peonies and camellias to create your very own Japanese-style garden.
- A recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, dragon head bamboo is deserving of a spot in any British garden.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, the Dragon Head Bamboo grows very well in a large pot, which is also a great way to restrict its spread.
How big does it get?
The Dragon Head Bamboo typically reaches a mature height of 3 to 5 metres and a spread of 1 to 2 metres.
How much sunlight does this need?
The Dragon Head Bamboo grows best in full sun to partial shade, depending on the specific moisture levels of the soil.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
The Dragon Head Bamboo prefers a fertile, humus-rich, and moist but well-drained soil.
How much watering does this plant need?
The Dragon Head Bamboo requires regular watering, approximately 25 to 50 millimetres per week, to maintain its lush foliage.
Will this plant need pruning?
The Dragon Head Bamboo does not strictly need pruning, but can be lightly trimmed to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged wood.
How hardy is this plant?
Fargesia rufa is extremely hardy with an RHS rating of H7, tolerating temperatures below -20°C and growing excellently throughout the UK.
The wider garden
Europe
Meet Mike's trusted specialists
Start with a touch of continental sun
Over 99% of our plants are grown in the UK, but where that’s not possible, Mike sources the best specialist growers in Europe for the job. Think citrus warmed by Sicilian sun, topiary trained by Dutch masters, almonds nourished in the Dordogne and bamboo bathed in Tuscan heat. Our handpicked growers nurture these plants to maturity before handing over to our team in the Cotswolds, to toughen them up for UK gardens.
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