Dwarf Sacred Bamboo (Nandina Domestica): Important City Landscape Guidelines To Observe

Did you know that the berries of dwarf sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica) are toxic to grazing animals? Rather than being a bad thing, this aspect makes the plant quite suitable for landscape planting that is resistant to deer and rabbit. However, before planting such a landscape, you should be aware of the applicable city guidelines to follow.

Here is an overview of landscaping guidelines provided by the Brisbane City Council.

Landscaping Guidelines

The city council of Brisbane demands compliance with its landscaping guidelines in order to maintain and strengthen the existing green subtropical character within the city. Therefore, you should be familiar with the relevant policies, including:

- Brisbane City Council's Administrative Policy AP154 Street Trees

- Brisbane City Council's Centres Detail Design Manual

- Brisbane City Council's Street Tree Management Plans

- The Joint Council/ Greening Australia Native Plants of Brisbane Lists

This planting guideline clearly indicates that high maintenance plants won't be accepted. That is definitely an advantage for Nandina domestica, which is a very hardy and low maintenance variety.

The planting area is another key consideration. For instance, you are permitted to construct small planting areas (2-3 m length by 1.2 m width) around street trees. On the other hand, approval of planting areas on footpaths, which contain ground covers and small shrubs, would depend on the site design or feature locations. All such planting areas are required to have approved edge restraints surrounding the entire perimeter.

When creating any landscape, you must consider the characteristics of the plants you select. This is because the texture, form and color of selected plants will ultimately affect the overall look that you want to create. Sacred bamboo may be a suitable candidate for a natural-looking landscape, since it requires very little pruning.

Various Considerations To Make When Selecting The Appropriate Plant Include:

(i) Life span of the plant.

(ii) Is the planting space appropriate to the plant? Such a landscape should provide adequate space for root growth and proliferation that won't intrude on the surrounding surfaces or structures.

(iii) Will the plant interfere with any existing structure below or above the ground? Interference with above-ground structures would depend on plant height.

Any landscape design must always take into consideration drainage aspects. Proper drainage will prevent subsurface discharge into enclosed pipe systems. Moreover, the landscape features should never protrude onto road reserves, footpaths or access restriction strips. Such requirements are meant to ensure the safety of pedestrians and avoid traffic accidents.

It's interesting to note that Nandina domestica "Nana" is demarcated for use as a ground cover by the Brisbane city Council. It's one among various other species, including:

- Themeda trianda (Kangaroo grass)

- Myoporum elliticum (Myoporum)

- Themeda "Mingo" (Kangaroo grass - prostate blue variety)

- Lomandra longifolia (Common lomandra)

- Dianella caerulea (Blue flax lilly)

- Dianella brevipedunculata (Blue flax lily)

- Alternanthera tricolor (Alternanthera)

- Russellia equisetiformis (Firecracker plant)

- Trachlylospermum jasminoides (Chinese star jasmine)

- Juniperus confertus (Juniper or blue pine)

- Liriope "muscari" "Evergreen giant" (Liriope)

- Hibbertia scandens (Snake vine)

- Grevillea poorinda "Royal mantle" (Grevillea royal mantle)


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Keith Kelso enjoys sharing his experiences creating beautiful and captivating landscapes. He also recommends Nursery Online as a great choice for suitable landscaping plants. They stock a wide collection of plant varieties from which to make your selection. Visit http://www.nurseryonline.com.au/nandina-nana-dwarf-sacred-bamboo-200mm/ for more information and advice on online plant purchases.