We're offering you a 1 or 2 Umbrella Bamboo Fargesia Rufa for £22.99, saving you up to 23% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £29.99 (correct as of 23.09.2025).

Hardy Bamboo Plants

Add Structure & Evergreen Beauty with Fargesia rufa Bamboo

Looking for a low-maintenance bamboo that brings lasting impact? Fargesia rufa, also known as Umbrella Bamboo, is a clump-forming evergreen grass prized for its elegant arching stems and lush foliage. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, this variety is celebrated for its reliability and adaptability in UK gardens.

Why Choose Fargesia rufa?

• Non-Invasive Growth: Unlike running bamboos, Fargesia rufa forms neat clumps that stay where you plant them—no spreading out of control.
• Year-Round Interest: Bright green canes mature to yellow-green, while coppery sheaths and side branches add seasonal highlights.
• Dense Evergreen Screen: Perfect for privacy, windbreaks, or hiding unsightly areas with a living wall that stays green all winter.
• Tough & Versatile: Exceptionally hardy—tolerates frost down to -20°C and copes well with sun or partial shade.
• Flexible Planting: Thrives in borders or large containers; use singly as a specimen or in groups for dramatic screening.

Bamboo Care & Growing Guide

• Position: Plant in sun or partial shade. Shelter from harsh winds for best results.
• Soil: Prefers moist but well-drained soil; tolerates most pH levels. Mulch annually to retain moisture.
• Watering: Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first season after planting.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring for vigorous growth.
• Pruning: Remove old or damaged canes at ground level in late winter or early spring to maintain shape.
• Mature Size: Reaches up to 3m (10ft) high with an approximate spread of 1.5m (5ft).

Design Tips & Companion Planting

• Create an instant privacy screen along fences or patios.
• Add movement and texture to Japanese-inspired gardens.
• Combine with shade-loving ferns or hostas for layered planting schemes.
• Suits contemporary containers—choose grey planters for modern style.

Bamboo FAQs

• When is the best time to plant Fargesia rufa?
  The best time is autumn or spring when soil is moist but warming up. Container-grown plants can be planted at any time of year if watered well.
• How fast does it grow?
  This bamboo is moderately fast-growing—expect up to 60cm (2ft) new growth per year under good conditions until maturity.
• What type of soil does it prefer?
  This variety thrives in moist, well-drained soils of any pH. Avoid very dry sites; mulch annually for best results.