Fargesia rufa

Fountain Bamboo, Dragonhead Bamboo

(20 customer reviews)

From: £24.95

A handsome, fountain shaped bamboo that provides unique evergreen texture to any space. Lush green foliage and yellow canes are complimented by pleasing orange-pink sheaths as new growth pushes early in the season.

Fargesia rufa grows vigorously but is a clump forming bamboo, making it easier to control than more aggressive invasive bamboos. Despite this, the individual canes are well spaced which gives it the aesthetic appeal of running bamboos without so much difficulty controlling it.

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Origin: Western China
Genus: Fargesia
Species / Cultivar: rufa
Common Name: Fountain Bamboo, Dragonhead Bamboo

Plant Biography

Fargesia rufa is native to China, where it’s an important food source for Giant Pandas and is referred to as ‘Long-Tou Zhu’, meaning ‘dragon head bamboo’.

It evolved primarily as an understory plant in mountainous forests, growing under pines on slopes and along stream banks, where it can receive the large amount of water it requires.

Fargesia rufa
Soil: Moist but Well Drained
Soil that allows water to drain at a moderate rate, without the water pooling.
Growth Rate: Medium
Expect to see moderate growth during growing season.
Water Requirement: High
Likely to require supplementary watering in warmer months, even once established.
Maintenance: Low
Minimal skill or input needed beyond the basics, a very independent plant.
Situation: Part Shade
Enjoys several hours of direct sunlight but may enjoy dappling or shade at midday.
Eventual Height: 2m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Will survive unprotected outdoors in most areas of the UK, even in the harshest winters.
Habit: Evergreen
Always in leaf throughout the year. It won't lose all its leaves at any one time.

Expert Tip

If planted in a pot you may have to water the bamboo almost every day during the hottest summer months, depending upon the size of the pot.
Fargesia rufa In The Garden

Fargesia rufa In The Garden

This perennial bamboo is a relative newcomer to cultivation, but has become particularly sought after for creating privacy screens, hedges and acoustic barriers for gardens, whilst staying under 2 metres tall.

In the wild it’s found growing alongside Rhododendrons, Hydrangeas and Mahonias, all of which make perfect planting companions in your garden!

It’s also perfect choice to compliment larger leaved plants with a similarly tropical look, such as Fatsia japonica or hardy bananas.

Care & Size Guidance

Care & Size Guidance

Bamboo have a very high water requirement. During drier and hotter periods an irrigation system can help keep the plants well watered, and applying a layer of mulch helps prevent the soil from drying out too fast.

Very pleased with my bamboo, exactly as described, delivered overnight , well packaged. Looks beautiful as a backdrop to my Japanese style garden.

Judith K

Very pleased with my bamboo, exactly as described, delivered overnight , well packaged. Looks beautiful as a backdrop to my Japanese style garden.

20 customer reviews for Fargesia rufa

Bought 3 of these to go in a long trough to screen a fence. They arrived well packed and undamaged. Height is 1 metre but I expect them to double that in the next 2 years – they seem to have settled well in the trough.

P Ainsworth

Bought from the website, this was delivered the next day, very well packaged and in great shape, I have ordered plants from here before and have had no reason for complaint. The plant was the size expected too.

marcus worsley

a very attractive shape and is a contrast to the rest of my garden plants

Jane Romyn

weve had these growing in very large cedar boxes for the last 4 summers. they were thin, 12 inch starts when we planted them. now, theyre 6 feet tall 6 feet wide bushes! doing very well. handle our Washington rain and winters very well. no root rot and no die back. doing great! only wish they were a little taller. new canes pop up each growing season, but the plant overall doesnt seem to be getting any taller than 6 feet. we were hoping it would reach 8-10 feet like the label said.

Jason