Nandina

Nandina domestica
Also called Heavenly Bamboo ( it is NOT a Bamboo ); it is the one and only species of Nandina. The Nandina is a medium to large sized, evergreen shrub that is is native from India through China to Japan. Averaging around 8 feet at maturity, it can sometimes reach as much as 13 x 15 feet though such sizes found in its native range are clonal and may be centuries old. Some records include: largest on record - 18 feet; 10 years - 8 x 6 feet ( avg ); 2 years - 6 feet; fastest growth rate - 4 feet. On ideal sites, a single plant may form a large clump. Nandina domestica is now considered invasive on parts of the eastern U.S. though can still be found in garden centers. In this case, it is the gardeners responsibility to either a) substitute with native plants or b) purchase infertile varieties grown for their foliage only such as Firepower or Obsession.
Its leaves are evergreen and persist up to 3 years in mild climates. They are up to 40 inches long ( usually half that ) and divided up into numerous leathery leaflets, up to 4 inches in length. The foliage is soft and pinkish when young; turning to glossy deep green. During late autumn and winter, the foliage often turns intense red and purple.
The fragrant, creamy-white flowers are borne on erect panicles, up to 15 inches in length, during summer.
They followed by large clusters of ornamental long lasting intense, scarlet-red berries, up to 0.3 inches across, during fall and winter. A heavily fruited Nandina is always a spectacular sight during winter, especially after a light snowfall. The berries persist for months as birds rarely eat them, however recently there have been reports of Cedar Waxwings after running low on natural foods during late winter, having feasted on the berries and getting poisoned. For good berry production, both male and female plants will need to be planted in close proximity.
Extremely long-lived; Nandinas are not bothered by pests, diseases or deer. Nandinas will survive for decades and even centuries, as extremely old plants on Asian temple grounds can attest too. It looses its leaves at around 10F and if the stems die back at temperatures below zero - it can be cut to ground in early spring so that it can resprout. It grows best on acidic to neutral, fertile, moist, well drained soil but is very drought and very clay tolerant. Nandinas are not salt tolerant which may limit their use close to streets or where salt runoff from parking lots may be a problem. The roots can even compete in dry shade under trees, Nandinas will even grow under Pine trees.
Never use hedge shears on a Nandina - it is ugly. Nandina's can however be easily kept lower with careful selective pruning. Hardy zone 6 to 9 and can be used as a 3 foot foliage perennial in zone 5 if heavily mulched in winter ( limit of - 25 F for roots if not mulched ). Old plants can be cut to ground in late March to renovate if they become too leggy and sparse.

* photos taken on Nov 10 2011 in Columbia, MD





* photo taken on Oct 2002 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.



* photos taken on installs



* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photo taken on June 13 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 14 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 7 2013 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photos taken on Dec 6 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 8 2014 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Dec 6 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jun 14 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 3 2016 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on Dec 4 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 17 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 16 2021 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on June 22 2022 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

'Blush Pink'
Identical to 'Firepower' except for having attractive pinkish-red new foliage.

* photo taken on June 18 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jan 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 29 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 12 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 7 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 8 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 30 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 22 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 29 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Burgundy Wine'
Reaches up to 3 feet tall and wide.
The fine-textured foliage is deep red at first.


Another cultivar called 'Firestorm' is similar.


'Chime'
Moderate growing, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet.
This unique form has very long, very narrow leaflets giving it a very fine texture. The grayish-green thread-like foliage turns to intense orangish-red during autumn.
This form does produce red berries.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

* photo taken on Aug 26 2019 in Elkridge, MD

'Compacta'
Moderate growing and more compact, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet in 5 years with an eventual maximum size of 7 x 4 ( rarely over 4 ) feet.
It has a very lacy look with more numerous and narrower leaflets than regular Nandina domestica. The blue-green foliage turns to intense scarlet-red during autumn and winter.
The berries are scarlet-red.

* photos taken on Sep 17 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 5 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 4 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 15 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 27 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 4 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 10 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 19 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 29 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 29 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 5 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 3 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 1 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Cool Glow Lime'
Moderate growing and dense, upright in habit, reaching up to 4 x 4 feet.
It is similar to 'Gulfstream' except with golden-yellow foliage.
It has exceptional disease resistance.

* photo taken on Aug 31 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Apr 25 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on June 20 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Sep 12 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Oct 15 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

'Firepower'
Dense and compact in habit, reaching a maximum size of 3.3 x 5 feet though typically no more than 2 x 2.5 feet in 5 years. It is coarser looking with wider larger leaflets than regular Nandina domestica or most of it's other cultivars.
The lime-green foliage turns to glowing scarlet-red during the winter.
It does not flower or produce berries.
It also grows well in shade however with less color intensity.

* photo taken on June 24 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2011 in Elkridge, MD




* photo taken on Nov 1 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 4 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 6 2012 in Frederick, MD

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Sep 9 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 8 2014 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on Dec 14 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 26 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 5 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 12 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 18 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 3 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 28 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 21 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 20 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 27 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 10 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Flirt'
Similar to 'Harbor Dwarf' except with foliage that is rich deep red at first, turning to luxuriant rich green. The foliage turns intense red during autumn and winter.

* excellent video found on Youtube

* photo taken on May 18 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 23 2013 in Howard Co., MD

'Gulfstream'
Moderate growing and very dense in habit, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet in 5 years, with an eventual maximum size of 5.4 x 5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet. It is non-invasive and does not spread by rhizomes.
The attractive fine-textured foliage is reddish-green at first, turning deep green in summer then to scarlet-red during fall and winter. The leaves are composed of leaflets averaging 1.6 x 0.6 inches in size.
It does not flower or produce berries.







* photo taken @ U.S. National Arboretum on Feb 2009

* photo of unknown source on internet

* photos taken on May 8 2010 in Bethesda, MD


* photo taken on Aug 20 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Dec 4 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 18 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Aug 13 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 19 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 29 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 17 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 28 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 22 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 10 2023 @ Smithsonian Institute, Wash., DC

* photo taken on Feb 6 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Harbor Belle'
A good, moderate growing, low groundcover form, reaching up to 2 x 3 feet in 3 years, eventually up to 2.5 x 3 feet. It is similar to Harbor Dwarf.
The foliage is pinkish at first, turning to mid-green during summer, then finally to deep red during late fall and winter.
It bears abundant, scarlet-red berries during autumn, persisting thru winter.

* photos taken on Dec 4 2011 in Columbia, MD


* photos taken on Dec 17 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 21 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Harbor Dwarf'
A moderately fast growing, rhizome-spreading, groundcover form, reaching up to 2 x 2.5 feet in 5 years, 3 feet in 8 years, with an eventual maximum size of 3.3 x 4 feet.
The fine-textured, glossy blue-green foliage turns fiery scarlet to reddish-purple during winter.
Older plants may eventually bear flowers and red berries.

* photos taken from install / design in Clarksville, MD



* photos taken on April 15 2012 in Bethesda, MD


* photo taken on May 26 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 27 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 11 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 8 2014 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on June 18 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 4 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 8 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 29 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 18 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 14 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 2 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 13 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Lemon Lime'
Similar to 'Gulfstream' except for having bright yellow-green to lime-green new foliage that finally matures to bright green.
It is moderate growing, reaching up to 0.8 x 1.5 feet in 1 year, 3 x 3.5 feet in 6 years, eventually to 4 x 4 feet.

* photo taken on Oct 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 15 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 28 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 17 2022 in Elkridge, MD

* photos taken on May 18 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 1 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Sep 25 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Nov 17 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Apr 25 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

'Leucocarpa'
Similar to species; except for brighter green foliage and creamy-white berries.

* photos taken on Nov 14 2012 in Harford Co., MD

* photos taken on Oct 21 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Washington, DC

* photo taken on Dec 2016 in Harford Co., MD

* photos taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Moonbay'
Slow growing, compact and dense, reaching up to 3 feet in 10 years, with an eventual maximum size of 4.5 x 5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet.
The fine-textured, glossy bright green foliage turns intense orange and bright red during winter.
It bears bright red berries during autumn.

* photo taken on June 18 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 25 2013 in Columbia, MD

'Moyers Red'
Same size as regular Nandina ( reaching up to 6 feet in 5 years, eventually to 9 ft.
It has broad glossy blue-green leaflets which turn brilliant red in winter.
The pink flowers are followed by abundant red berries during autumn, persisting through winter.

* photos taken on Feb 8 2014 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on Mar 15 2018 in Columbia, MD

'Nana Purpurea'
Moderate growing, rounded and dwarf in habit; reaching up to 2.5 x 3 feet in 6 years, eventually to 4 feet tall.
The foliage is yellowish-green at first, turning to bronze-green, finally turning to striking scarlet-red during autumn.

'Obsession'
Fast growing, dense and upright, reaching up to 4.5 x 4.5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet.
The 'Gulfstream'-like foliage is intense deep red at first, turning to deep green.

* photos taken on May 26 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 18 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 18 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 1 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 30 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 19 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 7 2018 in Catonsville, MD

* photos taken on Oct 15 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 28 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 28 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 2 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 17 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 15 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 14 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 20 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 21 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 15 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 26 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 18 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 15 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 8 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Plum Passion'
Reaches up to 6 feet in 5 years, 8 x 4 feet in 10 years, with an eventual maximum size of 8.5 x 7.3 feet.
The attractive, fine-textured foliage is red-purple in spring turning deep bronzy-green during summer then back to purple in fall and winter.
Looks awesome against a white wall!
It is less evergreen than Nandina domestica north of zone 8, often becoming deciduous during winter in the Mid Atlantic.

* photo taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on June 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 8 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 30 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 20 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Mar 15 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 5 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 29 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 5 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 30 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 9 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 16 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 8 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Richmond'
Reaching up to 8 x 8 feet. Looks like regular Nandina but has heavy crops of brilliant red berries without requiring another plant for cross pollination ( however still fruiting heavier with multiple plants ).

'Royal Princess'
Fast growing and upright in habit; averaging 6 feet in 10 years, with an eventual maximum size of 10 x 8 feet.
The foliage is burgundy-red during spring turning deep green in summer then to red during autumn.
The large berries are intense scarlet-red.

* photo taken on Feb 8 2014 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

'Sienna Sunrise'
Dense and compact in habit, reaching up to 3.5 feet in 10 years, with an eventual maximum size of 5 x 4 feet.
Its foliage is intense fiery red in spring cooling to lush mid-green during summer ( while new growth continues to contrast red before the entire plant goes back to fiery red and orange during fall and winter.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Aug 3 2014 @ National Zoo, Wash., DC

* photo taken on July 5 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 9 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 12 2016 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Apr 27 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jan 13 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 9 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 1 2020 in Elkridge, MD

'Tuscan Flame'
Fast growing, reaching a maximum size of 1.2 x 1.7 feet in 2.5 years, eventually to 5 x 4 feet. It resembles Gulfstream Nandina in habit.
The foliage is intense scarlet-red at first, maturing to deep green. New foliage continues to be produced all summer long. The entire plant turns to glowing red during the winter.
Unlike Gulfstream Nandina, Tuscan Flame does produce berries.

* photo taken on Nov 28 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 1 2023 in Columbia, MD<br />

* photo taken on Oct 20 2022 in Columbia, MD

* patent photo

'Twilight'
Similar to 'Gulfstream' except for having new foliage that is pink with white variegation, later turning to green. It can reach up to 4 x 3 ( rarely over 3 ) feet.

* photo taken on June 16 2019 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on July 20 2019 @ Kent Island, MD

* photo taken on Sep 28 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 24 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Umpqua Chief'
Dense and vigorous, reaching up to 10 x 7 feet, with mid-green foliage that turns red in winter.
Large flowers and fruits.

* photo taken on Dec 12 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 27 2017 in Columbia, MD

'Woods Dwarf'
Very dense and low growing, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 4 ( rarely over 2 ) feet. Some records include: 7 years - 3 x 3 feet.
The glossy mid-green foliage turns intense deep red during winter.