hardy bamboo
Fargesia rufa
Overview
Hardy Bamboo (Fargesia Rufa) is an amazing landscape plant, valued for its evergreen foliage and robust, culm-forming habit.The textured, rich green leaves form an attractive canopy over the lightly arching, slender culms. Low maintenance and extremely hardy, this bamboo thrives in partial shade to full sun and is frost tolerant, surviving temperatures as low as -25 degrees F. Hardy Bamboo makes a great choice for forming an ornamental screen, providing excellent wind protection and privacy, while also providing an attractive backdrop for other plants in the garden. The combination of hardiness and strikingly vertical habit makes Hardy Bamboo a fantastic choice for coastal gardens, urban gardens and anyone looking for a stunning addition to the landscape.
Care Guide
Watering
Hardy bamboo (Fargesia rufa) should be watered 1-2 times per week, depending on the amount of sunshine and the temperature of your location. For areas with cooler climates, more frequent watering may be necessary. For optimal growth, make sure the soil is damp, but never soggy and always allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions. During the summer months, you may need to water more often, especially during periods of high heat or drought. During this time, the plant may require daily watering.
Light
Hardy bamboo (Fargesia rufa) grows best in full sun, meaning it requires direct sunlight for most of the day (at least 4-6 hours). In areas with particularly hot summers, it is important to position the bamboo in a shaded spot during the hottest part of the day (between 11 am and 3 pm). Allowing the bamboo to receive filtered sunlight during the heat of the day will help to ensure it stays healthy and vibrant.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 5-8.
Pruning
Hardy bamboo (Fargesia rufa) should be pruned once a year in early spring before the growth of new shoots. Although this bamboo species doesn't grow as quickly as many others, it's still important to prune it to maintain a healthy, bushy growth habit. Pruning should be light, with only older, larger culms being removed in order to keep the grove looking full and lovely. Aim to prune no more than 1/3 of the total culms and never remove more than 1/3 of the foliage. That way, healthy foliage can remain to help the overall health of the plant.
Propagation
Division, Cutting, Seed Propagation
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