Fargesia dracocephala Green Panda (Rufa) - Dragon Head Bamboo, Plant in 12cm Pot

Fargesia dracocephala are native to central and western China. Fargesia dracocephala Green Panda was originally introduced to the Uk as F. murielae Rufa, however this name, while still commonly used, is misapplied. Fargesia dracocephala Green Panda has been granted the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is an interesting bamboo that also originated in China and was introduced in Belgium by Jan Oprins, who selected it for its excellent form, compact growth and tolerance to cold, heat and drought. Green Panda grows to no more than 2.5mtr with narrow, blue tinged leaves and stem sheaths coloured ruddy pink and orange on mature canes. The attractive, thin willow stems form a dense upright clump. This is a first rate Bamboo for pot growing and makes an excellent hedge. Easy to grow in a sunny to semi shade location, although it benefits from shade from the strongest sunlight, in most fertile, moist, free draining soils. This is not a very invasive bamboo but to ensure it stays contained it can be planted inside an impenitrable barrier. If planting in a pot or other container use a John Innes compost as this plant will be there for a long time and peaty types of compost eventually degrade and become too packed and choke the roots. Ensure you feed regularly as a hungry plant is a poor performer. We recommend Osmoscote pro 12-14 month applied in the early spring. One application gives all the nutrients the plant requires for the whole year. John Innes is a soils based compost.