Prune the canes to varying heights for the best results. Nandina (Nandina domestica) is a tough, drought-resistant evergreen or semievergreen shrub. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Grown as an ornamental shrub, it is characterized by cane-like stems and finely textured leaves that resemble those of bamboo, which is how Nandina domestica got its common name. In fall and winter, the leaves turn bright red. To maintain good foliage color and support growth and overall health of the plant, feed Nandina in spring with a slow-release shrub & tree food. For gardeners from regions with cold winters, heavenly bamboo is best grown in containers so it can be overwintered indoors. During its first growing season, water a heavenly bamboo deeply and regularly to establish an extensive root system. To encourage full growth, prune back one third of the plant, removing old or weak branches. Fertilizing after pruning is recommended because it provides a needed dose of nutrients to the plant and helps it get ready for the upcoming growing season. While heavenly bamboo can tolerate temperatures as low as -12 degrees Celsius, they will not survive long in such conditions. All Rights Reserved. Plant three Nandina around a specimen plant like a Hinoki Cypress or an Emerald Arborvitae. Heavenly bamboo is not picky when it comes to soil, however, a moist, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil will provide the best results. However, to achieve the most vibrant colors, heavenly bamboo should be grown in full sun. From China and Japan, nandina is a true survivor. Pinkish-white flowers bloom in late spring or early summer, and the shrub's leaves turn a scarlet red during the winter. Choose a location with partial shade to full sun; moist, fertile soil; and protection from harsh winds. The origin of the Flirt Nandina is an interesting story. The color of the foliage varies depending on the amount of sun the plant receives. Nandina can be grown as a garden tub. Flirt Nandina Care Plant in well-drained soil. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Aileen Clarkson has been an award-winning editor and reporter for more than 20 years, earning three awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. Varieties of Heavenly Bamboo. The multiple stems of this plant are called canes. But you'll want your plant to thrive instead of struggle, which requires only minimal intervention from you. It has unbranched, upright canes, but can become leggy unless pruned. Nandina (Nandina domestica) is a tough, drought-resistant evergreen or semievergreen shrub. Once established, this is one of the toughest plants, adapting itself to a wide variety of conditions. Plants hate sitting in wet soil, so will benefit from added grit to the planting hole if your soil is heavy. If not pruned, nandina will grow up to 8 feet tall. Genus Nandina are erect, evergreen shrubs with pinnate to 3-pinnate leaves composed of lance-shaped leaflets which colour well in autumn, and panicles of small, star-shaped white flowers, followed by bright red fruits . Thin out old stems in the fall to produce a denser plant. Alternatively, you can feed with a natural organic plant food. Heavenly bamboo sports a dazzling show of color all year round, with leaves that turn from pink to green to red as the seasons change. Fertilize the nandina after pruning. Requires little care and no pruning. Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone and place the cutting in a container covered with plastic wrap to keep in the humidity until roots sprout. Just watch out for the toxic berries! We like to plant them in an area that could use some dramatic foliage color. Nandina Selection and Care Nandinas come in a wide range of growth habits, with a variety of individual features that make them a versatile plant that can be used in most landscapes. Old plants are often seen growing in cemeteries, overgrown gardens, on abandoned homesites, where they fruit and flower for decades with absolutely no care. They will grow together making a small, colorful hedge that is year-round. Plant in full sun if you want the best colour, however Nandina will also perform well in light shade. • Plant in full sun to part shade • Dig hole 3X the width of pot • Backfill and plant 1″-2″ above soil level • Water and add more soil if needed • Mulch plants • Fertilize in early spring If you are looking to start a container garden, heavenly bamboo is an excellent choice. Nandinas are naturally slow-growing, but will grow 12 to 24 inches per year, depending on conditions, including location, light, fertility and water, according to the Clemson Extension Service. Optimal growing conditions include full sun with some afternoon shade, rich soil that is slightly moist, and a little fertilizer in springtime. Gardeners are so thrilled with their nandina that they call it “ heavenly bamboo.” But nandina plants can get leggy as they grow taller. If leaves of the Nandina plant begin to yellow, treat with nitrogen based fertilizer. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. There is often a noticeable difference between last year’s growth and the current year’s growth. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Gulf Stream Nandina have a compact shape that makes them ideal for a wide range of uses including mixed borders, foundations and as a hedge. Heavenly bamboo is most readily propagated through cuttings. Water Nandina Fire Power plant once every week during the spring, summer and fall months to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Low maintenance and adaptable once established heavenly bamboo is generally pest and disease-free. As far as how, the folks at Texas A&M University recommend cutting about a quarter of the stems down to the ground. Because it is a cane-producing shrub, it will produce unsightly and invasive side stems, which can be removed any time. ... noting that it has the best texture of any Nandina that he has seen in cultivation or in nurseries there. The more sun your shrub receives, the redder the leaves will appear during the winter. The most reliable method of propagating nandina is from cuttings. Dwarf varieties won’t need as much pruning, but you can trim them to keep their shape. Heavenly bamboo is adaptable to a variety of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. A fun task when growing heavenly bamboo is the pruning of heavenly bamboo canes. Ideally, heavenly bamboo is grown in a warm, slightly humid, wind-protected environment. The … Place your Nandina shrubs 3 to 5 feet apart. The soil for your Fire Power Nandina should be kept moist at all times, but Nandinas will survive a drought quite well. Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Theses evergreen bushes are adaptable to just about any well-drained soil. Feed and water Nandina plants as you care for surrounding specimens. After the first growing season, water as needed. The plant does best in full sun, and while some varieties will tolerate partial or … From drafts is better to protect. Grow heavenly bamboo as a container plant if you live in a region with cold winters as they cannot survive freezing temperatures for very long and heavenly bamboo can easily be overwintered indoors. Nandina domestica Heavenly Bamboo Plants are completely unrelated to Bamboo. It needs care and constant attention. The stem should be soft and green. The most popular cultivators include: Unfortunately, heavenly bamboo is highly toxic to pets, livestock, and wildlife (including birds). Heavenly bamboo can survive in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit (or -12 degrees Celsius) but does not survive very long in freezing temperatures. Use a balanced 10-10-10 NPK ferti… Nandina is easily transplanted from containers. Clarkson earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Florida. Best used as a hedge in firescaping, this plant can also be utilized for privacy, as a border plant, or in mass plantings. Nandina Flirt. Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is an ornamental evergreen shrub in the Berberidaceae family. Water your Nandina weekly until it is established. Nandina prefers moist, fertile soil, protected from harsh winds. This new nandina from our Southern Living Plant Collection is named 'Blush Pink.' This disease kills twigs, shoots and leaves, … Although nandina plants are resistant to most pests and diseases, the fungal disease anthracnose may affect them. In 2005 they were growing many plants in a micropropagation laboratory, and noticed one plant of an unusual coloring. Cut back single branches any time of the year for use in flower arrangements or wreaths. Once you clear away the pruned stems and leaves, try to fertilize that same day, or within a … The variety is highly cherished for maintaining its coppery-red hue throughout the … Blush Pink Nandina is a durable plant that's quite forgiving of adverse growing conditions. Learn more about Monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. With its long season of interest and compact habit, Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’ is perfect for a sunny spot in a small garden, and can also be grown in containers. Care From Nandina domestica at home. Keep in mind that heavenly bamboo grown in containers will need to be watered even more frequently than plants grown in the garden. Homeowners and landscapers alike love to have these shrubs in their landscape because Nandina Gulf Stream care is such a breeze! Protect from winter weather. Nandina (Nandina domestica) is a tough, drought-resistant evergreen or semievergreen shrub. Nandina are light feeders, however will benefit from fertilization. Nandina prefers acid to neutral soil, especially if it is rich in organic matter and kept regularly watered. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, New Mexico State University: Fertilizing Nandina. Semi-hardwood is the part of the stem that is partially, but not fully mature. The Fire Power needs minimal care, which is great for the busy home gardener. Looking to add a striking, low-maintenance plant to your garden this year? Nandinas are naturally slow-growing, but will grow 12 to 24 inches per year, depending on conditions, including location, light, fertility and water, according to the Clemson Extension Service. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and keep them in a heated propagator until they root. Reduce the watering frequency to once every 10 to 14 days during winter, when active growth ceases. Heavenly bamboo has been classified as an invasive species by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in some south-eastern states and is on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (FLEPPC) Invasive Plant List. It’s also possible to propagate nandina from runners that have formed roots – … Nandina care is minimal once plants are established. Adding perlite, sand, or well-composted materials will help to improve drainage if needed. Nandinas should be planted in partial shade to full sun. Because Nandina does not have an extensive root system, place the fertilizer fairly close to its base. This plant has year-round visual interest. There are several cultivators of heavenly bamboo, many of which are dwarf varieties. This tough shrub is commonly used in foundation plantings, informal hedges, shrub borders, and in container gardens. How to Grow and Care for Heavenly Bamboo Plants. Water regularly to establish. Dip the end of the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant in a container, keeping the soil moist until roots sprout. Nandina is the perfect plant for creating dynamic layers in the landscape. When planting a border, space the Dwarf Nandina Firepower about 2 feet apart. Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears. The cane should be relatively firm but still flexible enough to bend. Stems are damaged at 5 °F, but the plant usua… Nandina domestica “Firepower,” commonly called “Firepower,” is a low-growing shrub, reaching 2 feet tall. Periodic inspections of the plants, verification of conditions and status of the leaves and substrate, moisture characteristics will allow avoiding mistakes and time to correct the program of care. Leaves assume a reddish tint in winter when grown in full sun. It does well when grown in slightly humid, bright conditions and is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. It has fleshy roots, which aid in rapid recovery from transplanting. How to Grow the Fire Power Nandina Shrub. A spectacular multi-season display of color with bright pink and red foliage, fall through winter. Semi-hardwood cuttings are best taken in the summer or early fall. Apply a fertilizer designed for ornamental shrubs twice a year in the early spring and early summer for the best results. Dwarf varieties won’t need as much pruning, but you can trim them to keep their shape. Prune nandina once a year in the spring to control the size and shape of the bush. Look no further than heavenly bamboo! After that, water only during long dry spells. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Grow and Care for String of Dolphins, How to Grow and Care for the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plants, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade, How to Grow and Care for Velvet Banana Trees. The bright red berries can cause a rapid onset of vomiting; increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; respiratory failure; shock; and even death if ingested. In colder regions it may need protecting from frost. Heavenly bamboo does best when it is allowed to grow in its natural form rather than being heavily pruned or sheared as a formal hedge. However, lightly pruning the canes of a heavenly bamboo plant once per year will help to keep it looking full. It can be moved at any time except midsummer. Pruning heavenly bamboo plants keeps these foundation shrubs dense and bushy. Nandina domestica ‘Pygmea’ (or ‘Nana’), characterized by … Layers: Old and New. The best time to prune nandina is in winter, when it is dormant. She has worked for several newspapers, including "The Washington Post" and "The Charlotte Observer." Both softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings work for propagating heavenly bamboo. A large Texas plant grower called Magnolia Gardens Nursery was propagating some plants of a Nandina called ‘Harbour Dwarf’. If you want a tall easy-care shrub with showy flowers that doesn’t require much water, how about Nandina domestiica? New foliage emerges bright pink before turning green. It is adaptable to extremes of soil and exposure and it relatively pest and disease free. Once well-established, mature heavenly bamboo plants are more resistant to drought and can tolerate short periods of drought more readily. The bush is an early bloomer, sprouting brilliant bright white flowers and green foliage in the spring and summer. 1. family of the barberry (Berberidaceae) 2. single sort of the species of heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) 3. other terms: sacred bamboo, Nandine 4. evergreen ornamental bush 5. growing height 200 to 300 cm 6. perennial up to -12 degrees 7. feathery green leaves in sprouting red with purple autumn coloration 8. white panicle blossoms from June to August 9. red berry fruits in autumn with long adhesion 10. slightly poisonous fruit Plant in groups for a big punch of color, or you can use them as a border planting. Their common name comes only from it's resemblance to bamboo due to the fine lacy foliage, and the cane-like growth pattern of the plant. It grows only 2 feet tall and wide -- perfect for massing under low windows or planting in containers. Nandina domestica ‘Richmond’, known for its heavy berry production. You can even bring it inside and grow it as a houseplant if you want - heavenly bamboo does it all. It grows up to 5 feet tall. Prune Nandina every year. Water deeply when planting and twice weekly for the first 2 to 3 months while your new plant is establishing. Gulf Stream Nandina Care. When it comes to care… ... Care Information. Feed the shrub once per month during spring, summer and fall to provide proper nutrition for root, flower, foliage and berry production. A non-flowering nandina with a tidy, compact, mounding habit that is terrific for borders, massing and containers. Nandina domestica ‘Firecracker’, a dwarf variety whose leaves turn deep red in winter. Ensure the soil is kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. Nandina can grow in full sun to shade and a range of soil types, but it prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Fertilize with a balanced, slow release fertilizer in spring. Water your Nandina weekly until it is established. Regular fertilizing helps to encourage blooming and preserve a heavenly bamboo’s vibrant color. The leaves of a heavenly bamboo plant are also toxic when ingested. In the spring, dainty white flowers are followed by bright red berries that persist throughout the winter. Remember to keep the soil consistently moist - a heavenly bamboo will need to be watered more frequently when grown in a container versus a garden! Nandina loses its leaves at 10 °F. For best results grow in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, in a sheltered spot away from strong winds. Then cut a third of the total stem height off one out of every four remaining stems. It works well as a ground cover or as a border plant. However, do not let it actually touch the trunk. Nandina, commonly called Heavenly or Sacred Bamboo, are exceptionally tough yet beautiful evergreen shrubs with a bamboo-like structure and foliage and will grow in sun or shade, which makes them one of the most compatible companion plants in existence! see more; Family Berberidaceae . When grown in a container, a heavenly bamboo plant should only need repotting every 2-3 years. Soak the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches at each watering to make sure the roots receive enough moisture. Cori is a freelance writer based out of Ontario, Canada, who specializes in houseplants and houseplant care. Also known as heavenly bamboo, this shrub grows in USDA hardiness zones 6b to 9. 'Flirt' nandina stays even smaller. They can grow to 10 feet high, depending on how severely you prune them. To take a softwood cutting, cut the stem of a heavenly bamboo plant where the newest growth begins. 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Firepower about 2 feet tall and wide -- perfect for massing under windows!: Unfortunately, heavenly bamboo plant are also toxic when ingested be kept moist at all,! Of sun the plant receives ideally, heavenly bamboo plants keeps these foundation dense. Watering frequency to once every week during the winter a noticeable difference between last year s! Interesting story depending on the amount of sun the plant receives, shrub borders, massing and containers springtime... To 8 feet tall and wide -- perfect for massing under low windows or planting in so! Cultivation or in nurseries there cuttings work nandina plant care propagating heavenly bamboo canes aid rapid! Early bloomer, sprouting brilliant bright white flowers and green foliage in the early spring and.! Of a heavenly bamboo is best grown in a micropropagation laboratory, and in container Gardens fertilizer!