Bamboo fargesia, which is also traded under the name garden bamboo, is available in numerous varieties. Despite all the differences in their appearance and care, there is one thing they have in common: they do not form rhizomes but clumps.
How best to care for Bamboo Fargesia?
Bamboo Fargesia care includes regular watering without waterlogging, fertilizing in the summer months with bamboo or organic fertilizer, and occasional watering in winter. Depending on the variety, the plants require sunny to partially shaded locations and are hardy down to -25 °C.
For this reason, all Fargesia varieties do not need a rhizome barrier because they do not spread uncontrollably. Nevertheless, they can be easily propagated by division. The best-known varieties include the red bamboo and the umbrella bamboo (Bambus fargesi murielae).
Bamboo fargesia plants
Red bamboo prefers a partially shaded to slightly sunny location, while umbrella bamboo can also tolerate full sun. If possible, make sure when purchasing that your bamboo will feel comfortable in the location you choose. When planting, add some compost or manure to the planting hole. Large plants can be easily divided with a spade.
Water and fertilize bamboo fargesia
The evergreen bamboo is quite thirsty, practically at all times. In addition, it does not tolerate any waterlogging. Therefore it needs to be watered quite often. It only needs fertilizer in the summer months. Use either special bamboo fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon) or organic fertilizer, such as well-seasoned compost.
Bamboo fargesia in winter
Since bamboo fargesia is green even in winter, a lot of moisture evaporates through the leaves and the plant needs sufficient water. This bamboo rarely freezes to death, but more often it dries up. That's why you should water your bamboo on frost-free winter days, especially if it's in a sunny spot.
Rolled leaves on bamboo usually indicate a lack of water. You should water the plant now at the latest. Bamboo fargesia is hardy down to around -25 °C. It only needs winter protection as a young plant in the first two years.
The most important things in brief:
- does not form rhizomes (root runners)
- very hardy, sometimes down to -25 °C
- Sunny or partially shaded location is optimal depending on the variety
- doesn't tolerate waterlogging at all
- water abundantly
- Reproduction by division
Tip
Bamboo fargesia does not require a rhizome barrier as these varieties do not form runners, but can still be easily propagated by division.
