Fargesia rufa
Farges' rufus bark bamboo
Also known as Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa'
- Height × spread
- 3m × 1.5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
Availability
Generally available in Spring, Summer & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A pleasing bamboo that has huge sprays of foliage with comparatively short tapering green leaves that are pendulous. The bamboo canes are in shades of green with some orange tones as well. These colours are better if grown in alkaline soil. The canes are slender and become very close-packed in an established specimen. This bamboo is reported to behave itself well and is unlikely to stage a takeover of your world. It is happy in a shaded site and is said to be hardy. Note that the RHS Award of Garden Merit which has been given to this plant only guarantees hardiness up to -10 degrees centigrade. It will do better, and certainly look happier if it is not placed in an exposed and windy position. It can suffer when conditions are hot and humid as well. Theoretically it can achieve a maximum height of 5 metres when mature, but is generally reported as standing around half that height.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green, Orange
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Structural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed bamboo in pots
For bamboos in pots, it may be easier to feed the plant with a liquid fertiliser diluted in water. Stand the pot on a saucer or tray while the feed in water is absorbed by the plant. This may also help to revive bamboos that cannot be repotted.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Prune bamboo to thin the plant
Remove some of the old canes cutting them off at ground level.
The plant is more attractive if canes are spaced out, rather than crammed together.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
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