Nandina

( nan - DEE - nuh )

At-A-Glance Information

This species of evergreen or semi evergreen shrub is commonly called Heavenly Bamboo or Sacred Bamboo. They need partial shade in warmer climates and little to regular water. It is native to China and Japan and has lacy looking foliage. Heavenly Bamboo reaches 6-8 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, with bronze new foliage that matures to green. Fall color is usually purple and bronze and winter color is bright crimson. The foliage makes good filler for cut arrangements. Flowers appear in clusters at branch tips and shiny red berries follow blooms in instances where the plants are grouped together in groves. These plants make great screens and hedges. Take care when planting these in your yard, as the berries are toxic, to humans and pets; especially to livestock animals.

Nandina Species and Varietals

Nandina domestica is the sole species of the Nandina genus, which is a member of the plant family Berberidaceae. Despite the common name 'Bamboo', these shrubs are not true Bamboo plants. The name 'Heavenly Bamboo' likely comes from the shrubs bamboo-like appearance, with segmented stems and fine, lacy foliage. Nandina are closely related to Barberry and Oregon Grape. Heavenly Bamboo grows well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 or Sunset growing zones 3-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. Nandina domestic shrubs are considered highly invasive across the southeastern United States, including in the states of Texas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.

'Fire Power'
2 feet tall compact variety.

'Gulf Stream'
3-4 foot tall variety.

'Harbor Dwarf'
Grows to 2-3 feet in height.

'Sienna Sunrise'
3-4 feet tall.

'Moyers Red'
To 6-8 feet tall.

'Plum Passion'
Reaches 4-6 feet tall.

'Royal Princess'
Reaches 6-8 feet tall.

'Filamentosa'
A dwarf version topping out at 1-3 feet tall.

'San Gabriel'
Very similar to 'Filamentosa'.

Caring for nandina

Take care when planting these in your yard, as the berries are toxic, to humans and pets; especially to livestock animals. Before planting Nandina in the garden, consider installing a root barrier that extends 18-24 inches down into the soil to prevent their roots from aggressively spreading. Plant Nandina in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 3.7 and 6.4 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these shrubs are drought-tolerant and prefer deep waterings with dry soil in between. Reduce watering in wintertime during rains and when the plant enters dormancy. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Each year before the flush of new growth appears, cut one third of the tallest, oldest canes down to ground level. Never shear these shrubs, as it will destroy the plant's natural shape and cause them to become sparsely foliaged and unsightly. These shrubs can survive for decades to centuries in the landscape before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Nandina in Containers
Nandina shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers, which helps to curve their aggressive spreading tendencies. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Nandina plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Heavenly Bamboo is most easily propagated via seeds. To learn how to complete this process, read the instructions below:

Propagating Nandina by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds in autumn. The seeds are contained in the fruits produced by these plants after the flowers fade. Remove the seeds from the fruit, and set them out.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Nandina shrubs are generally pest and disease resistant, but can be susceptible to developing issues with the following from time to time if ideal growing conditions are not met: