Borinda papyrifera

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paper-bearing borinda

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paper-bearing borinda RHS
paper-bearing borinda RHS

Other common names

blue dragon bamboo

Synonyms

Fargesia papyrifera

Bamboos
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A large, vigorous, clump-forming bamboo with tall, thick, canes to 7m, powdery blue-grey when young, maturing to olive green and with large, conspicuous silvery-buff sheaths. Upright at first, the canes arch over as the broad, evergreen foliage develops

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Borinda are clump-forming evergreen bamboos that typically have longitudinal ridges on the canes or branches and soft, matt leaves
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China (Yunnan)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Protect from cold, drying winds. In a container, grow in a peat-free, loam-based compost and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season. See bamboo cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • 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

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free