Fargesia rufa aka Hardy Bamboo

Fargesia rufa is an evergreen bamboo in the grass family, Poaceae. It comes from southern Gansu and northern Sichuan in China. Its native range has a temperate climate. Common names include hardy bamboo and dragon head bamboo. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Gardeners grow it for its green canes and year-round foliage.

This bamboo forms clumps rather than a single woody trunk. Young plants stand upright, while older plants develop a gentle arch. New canes start out bright green. The RHS gives a height range of 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. Its shorter account places the maximum at about 10 feet [3 metres]. The listed spread is about 3–5 feet [1–1.5 metres]. Plants can take 10–20 years to reach their full size. Flowers appear rarely, so there is no reliable annual bloom season.

Choose a sheltered site with some shade for best growth. It also accepts full sun, according to the RHS. Plant it in fertile soil that holds moisture but drains well. Clay and loam are both suitable soil types. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. The Missouri Botanical Garden lists its water needs as medium. It also notes some resistance to drought and deer. This does not replace its preference for moist soil. The RHS rates it H5 for UK hardiness. American sources give USDA zones 5–8 and 5–9.

Use it as a single specimen, hedge, or screen. Its evergreen leaves give the garden interest through winter. Large pots suit patios and help keep its spread within bounds. The RHS also suggests a lasting barrier around the roots. Its upright form suits planting where shape is the main feature. Thinning some stems makes the canes easier to see.

Care needs are low, and serious pest problems are uncommon. Slugs can still harm the new shoots as they emerge. Both horticultural sources report few disease concerns. In spring, remove dead, damaged, weak, or thin stems. The RHS advises removing flowering shoots to discourage further flowering. Grow new plants by division or from young rhizome sections in spring. The supplied sources give no evidence about edible parts or toxicity.