Family Poaceae
Originating from China.
- Delicate green leaves cascade from purple-black culms.
- Not a jungle giant, it is clump-forming and non-invasive.
- Easy-to-grow in dappled shade in light, moist soil.
Purple Fountain Bamboo in Your Garden
The sight of purple fountain bamboo foliage swaying like a soft emerald curtain is unforgettable. Fargesia nitida ‘Gansu’ 2 forms dense plumes of small, delicate leaves on dark purple-black culms. Like fox-tails, they arch wider than the clump is tall from its tightly packed base of slender culms.
This hardy bamboo, reaching 2m high and 2.5m wide in 10 years, produces new shoots very early in spring. They reach their full height by summer and branch, producing fresh new foliage. Its refined form is not overtly exotic, suiting English woodland gardens in Norfolk, as well as Suffolk’s exotic planting schemes.
Easy to grow out of drying full sun and wind, its hardiness suits all UK gardens. It forms a commanding specimen plant, given space for its arresting, cascading form to shine. Contrasting with bold contemporary plants in a restrained composition, or interweaving amongst jungle foliage, its elegance stands out.
Growing Tips for Fargesia nitida 95-2
- Soil and Sun: Plant in any non-waterlogged soil in part shade.
- Planting: Set in spring, plunge root ball to drench before planting. Water regularly during its first season.
- Watering: Given shelter from wind and strong sunlight, it will tolerate occasional dry spells. Keep moist in more exposed positions during hot weather.
- Pruning: None required, although it can be trained to any shape. Remove occasional dry older culms.
Purple fountain bamboo foliage adds a refined, soft texture to any style of UK garden. It is rewarding to grow, quickly forming a distinctive specimen, while defying the hype surrounding bamboo invasiveness. Enjoy this medium-sized beauty with peace of mind in any size of garden, planted in borders or pots.
Planting Ideas for Purple Fountain Bamboo
Feel calm and contemplative, cool and collected. Let the airy gracefulness of this rare and special bamboo create an oriental space perfect for meditation. Its lush, evergreen foliage provides the perfect backdrop for deciduous species with similarly rarefied characters. Add Acer ‘Burgundy Lace’, ‘Skeeter’s Broom’, ‘Firecracker’, and ‘Shaina’ for a relaxing, healing garden experience.
Thriving in jungle and woodland microclimates, Fargesia Gansu 95-2 adds a striking contrast to plants with large foliage. Plant it below the towering Paulownia elongata or the broad crown of jungly Catalpas ‘Purpurea’ or speciosa. Let its arching culms cascade from between the trunks of Trachycarpus fortunei and wagnerianus. Let it flow from between the enormous leaves of Musa basjoo, and Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’.
