How to Grow Dragon's Head Bamboo

Dragon's Head bamboo, Fargesia rufa, bursts into spring with exotic green foliage with orange rusty red cane sheaths. Fargesia rufa is a clump type bamboo that shoots up many canes each year. It is a fast grower that stays very compact and is not invasive. If you want a natural screen about 8 feet high, plant Fargesia rufa about 5 feet apart. Fargesia rufa is the hardiest of the clumping type bamboos, it can live in zones 5 to 9. It is unusual in that it is a clumping type that can take some sun. You should give it some shade in the afternoon as too much sun at this hot time may burn the leaves.

Fargesia rufa
Shovel
Bamboo specific fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Select a suitable site for your Fargesia rufa. The site should have good drainage and should be in partial shade or have morning sun with afternoon shade.
- 2
  Dig a hole twice the size of your Fargesia rufa's root ball. For a good healthy start amend your soil with organic matter and mix in a bamboo specific fertilizer. Bury the Fargesia rufa's root-ball to where the old soil line is. After you have planted the Fargesia rufa, water it in well.
- 3
  Add mulch 2 to 4 inches deep to help conserve water and also keep the weeds from sprouting. Water the Fargesia rufa every other day for about a week until it is established. Once the Fargesia rufa is established, it is very low maintenance.

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