Fountain Bamboo Fargesia rufa

Bamboos can often strike fear into the heart of gardeners, as some are invasive, but fear not, this little bamboo is a very well behaved garden guest.

Fargesia is one of the best types, as it is short, and has many small canes, and a much more delicate appearance than more thuggish members of the family. In fact. it's juicy new shoots are the stuff Pandas dream of!
A relatively newly introduced dwarf bamboo, it produces masses of new culms (as the new shoots are called), which have a rusty tinge. They then green up, and unfurl masses of tiny thin green leaves, which are evergreen so last all year round. The canes are very slender and thin, so they gently arch over, hence it's common name of 'Fountain Bamboo'.

They are spectacular in big pots on the patio, and an ideal bamboo for small gardens. They also form a neat, dense and easy-care non-trim hedge, reaching 2M and no more over many years. Just don't let them dry out in hot, dry Summers that's all, otherwise they require almost no care at all - what could be simpler?

Plant them where the sun can shine through the canes, or where you can see or hear the breeze gently wafting and rustling through all year - a very sensual plant indeed!