Bamboo Fargesia Rufa Variegata / Fargesia rufa Variegata

Area of origin: Provinces in Centre China, mainly the Sichuan province
Adult Dimensions: 1.5 to 2.5 metres high.
Diameter of the cane: 0.5 cm.
Foliage: Evergreen, variegated green and white
Soil Type: Moist and deep. Avoid excess of lime.
Hardiness: Hardy to -10°C.
Exposure: Shade / semi-shade. Preferably sheltered from direct sun (undergrowth variety)
Roots development: clump roots.


Properties and uses:
The bamboo Fargesia grows in dense clumps which can reach a wide diameter in a few years. It can be used alone, in a planter or in a hedge. This bamboo has clump roots, so it is not invasive, your neighbours won’t complain!
Like its cousin Fargesia Rufa, the bearing of the Fargesia Rufa Variegata is slightly falling. The cane is pinkish. It is unique with its variegated foliage. The aging leaves loose their variegated colours, until they are replaced by new ones.

Tips for planting Bamboos in pots:

For the varieties of Bamboos that grow well in pots Bamboos for planters and pots here are some steps to follow:

1/ A plant in pot needs a special care

As for any plant in pots or planters, it is very important to check and monitor watering and fertilization. In the ground, the plants can draw nutrients they need through their roots, which is not the case for plants in pots that depend on what is available in the growing medium. For Bamboos, make sure to water everyday in summer and once a week in winter. Indeed, most Bamboos prefer moist soil. We recommend fertilizing once to twice a year according to the plant’s needs.

2/ Choosing a pot adapted to the Bamboo

In general, the growth of the plants in pots is limited by the available space. It is therefore important to adapt the size of the container to the mature size of the chosen Bamboo.

• For groundcover / dwarf Bamboos : pot depth of 30 to 50 cm / planter of 40 x 40 cm
• For small Bamboos : pot depth of 40 to 60 cm / planter of 50 x 80 cm
• For medium Bamboos : pot depth of 60 to 90 cm / planter of 100 cm x 100 cm or 200 x 200 cm

3/ Planting time

Step 1
- Place a large stone or a small piece of broken pottery at the bottom of the pot, to partially cover the drainage hole while still allowing water to escape.
- Fill the bottom of the pot with coarse material (pieces of pottery, gravel, clay pebbles, etc.) up to 5 cm. This layer prevents waterlogging in the bottom of the pot, and root rot.
- Finally, fill your pot with compost.

Step 2
- Position your plant so that the root ball is covered with 3 to 4 cm of compost, to prevent it from drying out.
- Do not compact the substrate so the roots develop well, ensuring the plant’s development too.
- Water thoroughly.