Fargesia 'Red Dragon' – A Stunning Clumping Bamboo with Unique Red Stems
Fargesia 'Red Dragon' is a striking, non-invasive clumping bamboo that brings a touch of drama and elegance to any garden. Known for its vibrant red stems, which deepen in colour as the plant matures, this bamboo creates a stunning focal point, especially in partial shade or shaded areas. With its graceful, arching growth habit and lush, green foliage, 'Red Dragon' makes an excellent choice for privacy screens, hedging, or adding texture and movement to garden borders and containers.
Why Grow Fargesia 'Red Dragon'?
Vibrant Red Stems – The most notable feature of 'Red Dragon' is its unique red stems, which emerge green and gradually take on deeper red hues as they age. This striking stem colour adds visual interest to the garden throughout the year.
Non-Invasive – As a clumping bamboo, 'Red Dragon' grows in tight clusters, avoiding the spreading tendencies of other bamboo varieties. It is perfect for smaller gardens or places where a contained growth habit is desired.
Graceful, Arching Growth – With its elegant, arching form and lush green foliage, Fargesia 'Red Dragon' creates a soft, yet bold presence in the garden, ideal for adding structure or creating a natural screen.
Hardy & Low-Maintenance – Hardy and adaptable, this bamboo thrives in a variety of conditions, including partial shade, and is resistant to pests and diseases. It requires minimal care, making it a low-maintenance option for garden enthusiasts.
Planting & Care Guide
Position – Prefers partial to full shade but can tolerate some sun, particularly in cooler climates. It is perfect for areas with dappled sunlight, such as under trees or on the edges of woodland gardens.
Soil – Thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil but is adaptable to various soil types as long as they are not waterlogged.
Watering – Water regularly during the growing season to keep the soil moist, especially in hot weather. While ‘Red Dragon’ is more tolerant of dry conditions once established, it benefits from consistent moisture to maintain its lush appearance.
Maintenance:
- Trim back any dead or damaged stems in early spring to keep the bamboo looking tidy.
- If the bamboo becomes too large for the space, it can be thinned out to maintain its shape and size.
- Mulch in spring to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Fargesia 'Red Dragon' pairs well with a variety of other plants, particularly those that enjoy partial to full shade. It contrasts beautifully with hostas, ferns, and astilbes, which thrive in similar growing conditions. The striking red stems create a stunning focal point when planted alongside soft-textured perennials such as Heuchera or Tiarella. For a more tropical look, combine it with other bamboos or ornamental grasses like Miscanthus or Carex to create movement and texture.
Height & Spread – Fargesia 'Red Dragon' typically grows to a height of 1.5–2.5 metres (5–8 feet) with a spread of 1.2–2 metres (4–6 feet), making it an excellent choice for medium-sized spaces where a clumping bamboo’s compact growth is desired.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
