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Dragons Head Bamboo (Fargesia dracocephala): Hardy Clumping Bamboo from China

Overview

Dragons Head Bamboo (Hardy Dragon Bamboo) is a mountain bamboo from China. It is a **clumping (non-running)** bamboo, cold-hardy to USDA zone 5 (-20°F). Forms a graceful, fountain-like clump 8-12 feet tall with slender, arching culms and small leaves. One of the hardiest bamboos for northern gardens.

Taxonomy & Nomenclature

Family:	Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Fargesia (far-GHEE-zee-uh)
Species:	dracocephala

Cultivation & Uses

Partial shade preferred; moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. No rhizome barrier needed! Ideal for screens, hedges, specimens, and containers in cold climates. Protect from hot afternoon sun. A top choice for gardeners in zones 5-6 wanting bamboo.

Grasses and Bamboo: Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra); Hardy Bamboo (Fargesia rufa); Hardy Bamboo 'Green Panda' (Fargesia rufa 'Green Panda'); Running Bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax); Hardy Clumping Bamboo 'Asian Wonder' (Fargesia scabrida): Non-Invasive Bamboo for Cold Climates; Robust Fargesia (Fargesia robusta): A Tall, Clumping Bamboo for Screening; Dwarf Bamboo (Dendrocalamus minor): A Small, Clumping Tropical Bamboo; Bamboo (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea); Bamboo (Fargesia denudata); Bamboo (Bambusa arnhemica)

Garden Articles

Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus): Towering Tropical Timber Bamboo

Monastery Bamboo (Thyrsostachys siamensis): Elegant Clumping Bamboo for Warm Climates

Bamboo 'Kimmei' (Semiarundinaria yashadake): Variegated Running Bamboo with Sulcate Culms

Marbled Bamboo (Chimonobambusa marmorea): Rare Running Bamboo with Marbled Culms

Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): The Classic Tropical Clumping Bamboo

Beechey Bamboo (Bambusa beecheyana): Large Tropical Clumper with Edible Shoots

Bamboo 'Kimmei' (Semiarundinaria yashadake): Variegated Running Bamboo with Yellow Sulcus

Plants

Marbled Bamboo (Chimonobambusa marmorea): Rare Running Bamboo with Marbled Culms

Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): Giant Tropical Clumping Bamboo

Male Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus): Solid-Culmed Tropical Clumper for Timber

Bengal Bamboo (Bambusa tulda): Strong Tropical Clumper for Construction

Bamboo 'Shiroshima' (Hibanobambusa tranquillans): A Striking, Variegated Bamboo for Shade

Broadleaf Bamboo (Indocalamus latifolius): A Running Bamboo with Giant Leaves for Deep Shade

Khasia Bamboo (Drepanostachyum khasianum): A Clumping Bamboo from the Khasi Hills