Fargesia dracocephala 'White Dragon'
A dense, slow-growing, clump-forming bamboo about 4m tall, with canes powdery white, then becoming glossy dark green spotted purple. Variegated leaves are striped white or all white, becoming yellow-green in the summer, then darker in autumn and winter
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | White Green | Green White Variegated | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green Purple | Yellow Green Variegated | ||
Autumn | Green Purple | Green Variegated | ||
Winter | Green | Green Variegated |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Fargesia are compact, densely clump-forming evergreen bamboos with slender arching canes and several small branches at each node bearing copious narrow leaves
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture retentive soil, for best variegation grow in partial shade or full shade. Suited to container cultivation. See bamboo cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by division or take cuttings of sections of young rhizomes in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Remove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and thin to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming
Pests
May be susceptible to damage from slugs on new growth
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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