Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Some tolerance for full shade, but foliage often grows best in sun with some afternoon shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils, but prefers rich, moist, humusy ones. Best with consistent watering. Established plants have some drought tolerance. Best fruiting occurs when grown in groups. Single specimens may fruit poorly. This shrub is evergreen in the warm winter climates of USDA Zones 8-10. In the St. Louis area, it is considered to be semi-evergreen to deciduous because plants will typically lose their foliage (become deciduous) as soon as winter temperatures dip below 10°F., with the stems sometimes dying to the ground. Plants are not reliably winter hardy to the St. Louis area, and if grown therein, should be sited in protected locations with organic winter mulches applied.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Nandina domestica, commonly called heavenly bamboo, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that is ornamentally grown for its interesting foliage and its often spectacular fruit display. It is native to Japan, China and India. This is a rhizomatous, upright, evergreen shrub that typically grows to 4-8’ tall and to 2-4’ wide. In St. Louis, it is semi-evergreen to deciduous, and typically grows shorter since the stems often will die to the ground in winter. Although it belongs to the Barberry family, it is commonly called heavenly bamboo because its erect, cane-like stems and compound leaves resemble bamboo. Tiny whitish flowers with yellow anthers appear in late spring in loose, erect, terminal clusters. Flowers are followed by sprays of spherical, two-seeded, red berries which persist from fall to spring, providing winter interest.
Heavenly bamboo tends to invade adjacent lands including certain forested areas of the southeastern United States and naturalize therein. It is now considered to be an invasive species in some southern states. Additionally, the berries of Nandina domestica have been linked to toxicity in cedar waxwing birds.
Genus name is the Latinized form of the Japanese name of this plant
Nanten.
Specific epithet means domesticated.
'Pygmaea' is a deciduous shrub which typically grows 4-5' tall (shorter in areas where it dies to the ground in winter). Features a clump of erect, cane- or bamboo-like stems with compound leaves which are divided into narrow, lacy leaflets (1-2" long). This cultivar grows shorter and has lacier foliage than the species. Leaves emerge coppery in spring, turn to green in summer and finally change to reddish-purple in fall. Tiny whitish flowers appear in late spring in loose, erect, terminal clusters (6-12" long). Flowers are followed by heavy sprays of red berries which persist from fall to spring, providing winter interest.
Synonymous with the cultivars 'Compacta' and 'Nana'.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils. Considered invasive in some areas. Check local laws and recommendations before adding this plant to your landscape.
Uses
Plant form, foliage, fall color make this an interesting ornamental for the landscape. Group or mass for best effect. Shrub borders or open woodland gardens. Foundations. Good in informal settings. Can be used as an informal hedge in warm winter climates where it remains evergreen and does not die to the ground.