Information About Nandina
- Nandina performs as an evergreen shrub in warmer regions of its hardiness zones. It has a semi-evergreen habit in cooler regions experiencing annual freezing temperatures. The plant has an upright, clumping growth habit, with flowing, nonbranching stems. Its lancelike, green foliage is colorful throughout fall and winter. Leaves turn into a mix of reds, orange, pinks and bronze. The shrub grows up to 8 feet tall. In springtime, tiny white blooms fill long panicles. Clusters of green berries follow the flowers, which eventually turn red.
- Nandina domestica has various cultivars ranging from tall shrubs to dwarfs. All produce colorful fall foliage and red berries. Umpqua Warrior is a large cultivar, growing up to 9 feet tall. Moon Bay, Town and Country, Harbor Dwarf, Firepower and Woods Dwarf are dwarf varieties. The plants grow from 1 1/2 to 4 feet in height and have a mounding habit. Plum Passion has reddish-purple fall foliage and grows up to 4 feet in height.
- Nandina and its cultivars fill a variety of needs within the landscape. Dwarf cultivar's low-growing, compact habit work well as colorful ground covers. The small plants work well in covering large and bare areas, lining walkways, or used in mixed gardens. Larger cultivars are suitable used as graceful looking hedges, foundation or mass plantings. The plant's red berries attract wildlife and bees, making nandina a useful addition to wildlife and butterfly gardens.
- All nandina plants have a moderate-to-slow growth rate. The plants tolerate a wide range of soil types, but perform best in well-drained, moist and organically rich mediums. Once established, the plants are moderately drought-tolerant. Preferred soil pH levels range between 3.7 and 6.4. It tolerates growing in a wide range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Foliage is more colorful receiving more light. Nandina suffers leaf drop at 10 degrees F. When temperatures drop to minus 10 degree F, plants die to the ground only to resprout in springtime.
- Gardeners should amend organically poor soils with organic materials before planting nandina. Amend the planting site's soil with peat moss, compost or manure. Applying a layer of mulch around the planting site helps retain the soil's moisture and reduces unwanted weed growth. For the best growth, fertilize annually in springtime. Use a blend suitable for azaleas or rhododendrons and apply according to package directions. When pruning, trim the canes off at ground level. Only dead, weak or damaged branches require removal. Trim off canes to control its spreading habit and size. Nandina plants grown in preferred conditions are relatively maintenance-free, hardy and seldom bothered by pests or diseases.
