Nandina domestica is a suckering shrub native of China and Japan. It is commonly known asheavenly bamboo, nanten and Sacred bamboo.

 

This plant has a very lacy appearance and has an upright form. It grows to a height of 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m).

 

Nandina domestica has evergreen leaves which are 50-100 cm long, bi- to tri-pinnately compound. The individual leaflets are 4-11 cm long and 1.5-3 cm broad. The young leaves in spring are brightly coloured pink to red before turning green; old leaves turn red or purple again before falling. Flowers of Nandina domestica are white, borne in early summer in conical clusters held well above the foliage. The fruit is a bright red berry 5-10 mm diameter, ripening in late autumn and often persisting through the winter.

 

The plant Nandina domestica grows and flowers well in partial shade. It exhibits richer-colored red fall foliage if planted in the sun. It is tolerant of drought once established. A rich soil and ample moisture will produce a lusher, better-looking plant. Plants survive with neglect, although regular fertilization encourages growth and thicker plants. It is a low maintenance shrub and require only one pruning each year to control plant height, if needed. The tallest canes should be trimmed to the ground or to different heights in

early spring to reduce the size. This will provide for more foliage toward the ground and promote a denser plant.

 

The foliage becomes blue green, fading to light green as the seasons change. Clusters of bright green berries replace the flowers. By late summer, the berries will ripen to a bright red.In the fall, the foliage color again begins to change to shades of pink and red, ending the year with bright red leaves and berries. The berries will remain until they are discovered and enjoyed by the local birds.

 

This plant is bothered by scale and mites. Leaf spot diseases often cause the lower leaves to drop from the plant in the humid regions of the nation.

 

Nandina domestica is often used in landscaping. It has been planted widely as an ornamental and often escapes from old plantings. It is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental plant. It is popular for its oriental effect and distinctive appearance. Nandina spreads slowly by underground stems, providing attractive clumps for entryways, containers, or as specimen plantings in a ground cover. They also add an accent to the front of a shrub border when planted in groups or clumps.

 

Did you know?

·        It was first introduced to America in the early 1800s.  

·        Some specimens of this plant are known to have lived for more than 100 years.