12 Facts About Nandina

Are you about to buy Nandina? If you are, here is a quick overview of 12 facts about it, which will give you a better understanding of what it is (courtesy of the North Carolina State University's Cooperative Extension service):

1. Common Name:

Nandina is more often called Heavenly bamboo.

2. Plant Family

The Heavenly Bamboo belongs to the Berberidaceae family (more commonly referred to as barberry family). According to information from Reed College, this family consists of 600 species of plants from all over the world.

3. Origin

Understanding the origin of any plant will help you in giving it the best care, since you'll have a better understanding of the most favorable conditions for growth. The Heavenly Bamboo is native to regions ranging from India to Japan. This is a region that experiences sub-tropical climate.

4. Plant Type

This is an evergreen shrub.

5. Overall Plant Form

There's always some aesthetic value to be derived from the overall form that a mature plant has. For instance, a shrub with multiple branches would be good for shaping into interesting forms. However, this plant variety grows in un-branched upright canes. Such an upright growing habit gives it the appearance of a bamboo plant.

6. Structure Of Leaves

Nandina possesses 2-3-pinnately divided leaves. Such leaves develop on the stem in an alternate pattern. They are approximately 12 to 24 inches long, and have a characteristic metallic, bluish green color. However, this color dramatically changes to red-green during the winter season.

7. Dimensions

Knowledge of a plant's width is critical while planting, so that proper spacing can be observed to accommodate it when fully grown. A fully mature heavenly bamboo species would have a width ranging from 2 to 3 feet.

Height is another aspect that can affect the use of such a plant. In some situations, such as traffic islands, excessively tall plants can create unwanted obstructions. With this plant, you can expect it to grow to a height of 6 to 8 feet.

8. Type Of Flowers

Your plant is sure to develop small flowers, in early summer, which are 8 to 15 inches. Although quite small, such flowers grow in clusters that make them more prominent.

9. Fruits

Bright red berries are also a typically feature of the heavenly bamboo. These are even much smaller than the flowers at approximately 0.3 inches. The berries develop during fall into winter. Unfortunately, the delicious-looking berries are poisonous to cats and grazing animals.

10. Hardiness:

This plant is quite tolerant to drought conditions.

11. Growing Conditions

Your plant is likely to thrive in many different types of soils, although the best conditions are moist, well-drained soils. It will also grow well in sunlight conditions ranging from sun to shade.

12. Cultivars

There exist several varieties of Nandina, each with interesting and unique characteristics. These include:

- 'Alba'

- 'Compacta'

- 'Fire Power'

- 'Gulf Stream' (also called 'Compacta Nana')

- 'Harbor Dwarf'

- 'Moyer's Red'

- 'Nana' (also called 'Nana Purpurea' and 'Atropurpurea Nana')

- 'Woods Dwarf'

- 'Yellow Berries'


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