SHRUBS > NANDINA

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NANDINA GUIDES

nandina domestica close up of leaves

Container GrowingPruning

Nandina domesticais an evergreen shrub , characterised by clusters of small white blossom , smart cherry berries , and pinnate leaves that turn red or purple in late autumn and wintertime .

This shaggy-haired shrub makes an attractive , dramatic addition to a UK garden , whether in boundary line , as part of a rock garden , or grown in containers .

red and green leaves of Nandina domestica ‘Fire Power’

‘Fire Power’

Wherever it is place , it will tot a touch of the alien , and provide welcome wintertime colouring .

The plant is winter fearless , and large-minded of high and down in the mouth temperature , making it easy to develop in the UK climate .

Once establish , it postulate very lilliputian pruning or ongoing care and therefore arrive at for an easy , ornamental improver to your garden .

red nandina domestica berries

Overview

PreferredFull Sun

ExposureSheltered

Height1 – 1.5 M

heavenly bamboo planted in a mulched garden border area

Spread1 – 1.5 M

Bloom TimeJuly – August

PreferredMost Soil Types

young sacred bamboo bush with small red and green leaves

MoistureMoist but well drain

pHAny

Nandina domesticais a member of the Berberidaceae ( Barberry ) family and originates from central China and Japan.1Nandina domestica . ( n.d . ) . North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox . Retrieved March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/nandina-domestica/

small red berries and leafy foliage of a nandina domestica shrub

There are dozens of varieties , with some of the most popular let in ‘ Fire Power ’ , ‘ Gulf Stream ’ , ‘ Twilight ’ , ‘ Sunset ’ and ‘ Tuscan Flame ’ , although only around 10 potpourri are common in the UK .

unlike varieties produce different colours of foliage , array from orange and Au , to red and purple .

The leaves change colour throughout the yr but are typically red or pink in spring when young , green during summer , and then wrick amber , red and empurpled again , as winter take hold .

dark red leaves of heavenly bamboo

As well as the erect , leathery lance - regulate leaflets , in quick weather the plant also develop whitened , star - shaped flowers , which spring up in large panicles in July and August .

The heyday are not specially showy , but their ambrosia will still attract pollinators to your garden .

Bright red berries of approximately 5–10 mm also appear after florescence , in later autumn and wintertime .

It is often placed near doorways in Japan ; said to protect and dispel the bad dreams of the inhabitants.2Kennedy , C. ( 2020 , March 20).Heavenly Bamboo is a graceful bush , not a true bamboo . Seattle Japanese Garden . recollect March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/blog/2025-05-07/heavenly-bamboo-is-a-graceful-shrub-not-a-true-bamboo

N. domesticais also roll in the hay as ‘ Heavenly Bamboo ’ , or ‘ Sacred Bamboo ’ – despite not being a bamboo of any variety .

This name descend from the fact that it grows upright , in a similar mode to bamboo .

The plant grows to an ultimate peak of around 1.5 MB and to a similar spread .

However , it is reasonably tardily - growing and can take up to 20 years to reach out this size .

Habitat & Growing Conditions

N. domestica ’s natural habitat is mostly the mountain forest of easterly Asia , include the Himalayas , key China and Japan.3Nandina domestica . ( n.d.-b ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . remember March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:107544-1

The flora prefer a cheery , sheltered clime for grow , with a fat , moist soil .

How To Grow Nandina

N. domesticamakes an idealistic margin plant , and many dwarf varieties are also well - suited to container increment .

Once established , celestial bamboo is a low - upkeep plant , and need very little on-going care .

It should not command feast , fertilising or watering , except in periods of drouth .

The best way of life to propagateN. domesticais either by seminal fluid or semi - hardwood cutting .

If propagating by cum , you should do this in either mid - spring to other summer , or in early autumn , around September time .

You should cook the solid ground for planting seminal fluid by wrench the filth over in advance , and shroud it with plastic or fleece , to warm up the stain and suppress weed .

Rake the surface , and water the soil , then practise small hole using a cane , in which to plant your cum .

Once planted , rake the loose soil back over your seeds . Keep them well - watered whilst they are growing .

If you favor to pass around by make cuttings , you should take these during later summer , or early fall , from the current time of year ’s maturation .

you could verify you have plenty of new ontogeny to choose from by trim the plant back heavily that springiness .

Choose salubrious - looking shoots that are punishing at the infrastructure , but soft at the tip , and make the cut just below a leaf , using acute secateurs .

nip lengths of some 15 cm .

Dip the bottom of the cuttings in a rooting internal secretion , before found them into a container filled with cuttings compost .

urine well , and keep the cuttings strong and covered until they take beginning .

The best time to embed nandina depends on whether you ’re planting seed or cutting .

Seeds should in general be planted into territory in belated spring , whilst cuttings should be take as semi - hardwood in former fall , and planted immediately into clipping compost .

Upon planting , you should always water yourN.domesticawell , and ensure to keep the soil moist but well - drained during the initial growing period of time .

Heavenly Bamboo Care

N.domesticais hardy in the UK climate and can tolerate temperatures between the extremes of frigidity and fondness .

It can therefore be left outside year - round , and does not generally need to be protected from frost over winter , unless in a specially cold or exposed stance .

Although it can tolerate low temperature and partial shade , N.domesticamuch choose full sunshine , so you should strain to opt an east , Dame Rebecca West or south - confront location in your garden , if potential .

“ If choosing an easterly view , make certain that it has some protection from cold winter easterly winds , ” say Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .

“ In ecumenical , flora somewhere brilliant but sheltered , as Nandina will struggle to thrive in a windy emplacement , particularly relevant in coastal or upland areas . ”

The plant favor a sheltered spot , away from any insensate , drying tip .

Heavenly bamboo will acquire in almost all soil types and pH , include sand and clay – although it does not really like chalk .

It opt its filth to be deep and moist , but , as with most plants , does not like to be waterlogged , so ensure it has sufficient drain .

Common Problems

N. domesticais mostly a hardy plant , with few common pests .

It may , however , be vulnerable to certain industrial plant viruses , which can cause leafage distortion and stain .

If your heavenly bamboo has a computer virus , you may detect brown foliage or spot on the leafage , signs of scrubby stems , distorted flowers , or malformed berries .

The only way to tackle a flora virus is to off the infected plant , to prevent it from spreading .

Keep the area around your plant free from smoke , as these can often store infections .

Another problem you may detect with yourN.domesticais leaf driblet .

This most often happens because the location of your plant is too cold or shaded , or too exposed to the wind .

Move your works to a sunnier , more sheltered position , and it should presently retrieve .

If the soil is wry , you may involve to irrigate your industrial plant more – peculiarly if you ’re experiencing a geological period of drouth .

References