Nandinas are an old fashion, evergreen shrub that gradually fell out of favor over the years - a result of being overplanted for decades.
But, with the introduction of new varieties and their nearly bullet-proof performance, it is time to revisit why nandinas deserve a place in the landscape.
Nandinas grow in zones 6-11 (Oklahoma City is in zone 6b) and are a mainstay in the southern landscape. They grow in both sun and shade, although because their color is more dynamic in the sun, I prefer full sun to partial shade.
Nandina tolerates a wide range of soil pH from 4.0 to 7.0 if it drains moderately well. Once established, nandina is very drought tolerant.
Best of all, they have no pest problems. Even deer don’t bother them.
Nandinas add texture and color to the landscape. Their lacy green leaves grow on cane-like stems adding yet another texture. In the autumn, the leaves turn burgundy and scarlet lasting through the winter and into the spring. Some varieties produce berries in the fall and winter. No plant produces a showier berry cluster than the nandina domestica.
The varieties of nandina are numerous, but here are a few favorites:
One of the most prolific shows of fall-winter berries is found on Nandinas.
Nandina 'Flirt' 1-2' tall. Stunning, deep red, new growth accentuates the evergreen leaves of this nandina. It is an improved variety of the classic Nandina 'Harbour Dwarf'. The dwarf growth habit makes it perfect for small landscapes and borders.
Nandina 'Plum Passion' 4-5' tall. New growth in spring and summer is a deep purple-red, turning slightly redder in the winter. Versatile and durable, and highly effective as a specimen plant, in borders, or massed for intense color.
Nandina ' Tuscan Flame' 3-4' tall. A real eye-catcher in the landscape, this evergreen shrub with a compact, rounded habit provides brilliant year-round color, needs minimal care, and maintains its neat round habit without pruning. Bright coral to russet-red foliage has a lacy appearance.
Nandina domestica ‘Heavenly Bamboo’ 6-8’ tall. The largest of the Nandina family produces lacy green leaves on upright cane like stems that turn brilliant red in the fall and winter. Small flowers are followed by bright berries in the fall. Use in mass plantings to create a colorful landscape screen or as a single specimen.
Nandina make a great accent in winter container plantings.
Nandina 'Sienna Sunrise' 3-4' tall. Intensely red new foliage cools to green. Fiery red in fall and winter. Plant in mass for dramatic effect.
Nandina 'Harbor Dwarf' 1 1/2 to 2 1/2' tall. An attractive small evergreen shrub that forms a dense clump of upright, cane-like stems with soft, narrow, green leaves that emerge with a pink-copper tint in spring and turn a brilliant bronzy-red color in fall and winter. Effective when used as an accent or container specimen, in mixed shrub borders, or massed as a groundcover.
Nandina ‘Firepower’. 2-3’. New foliage has fresh green coloration, with red highlights. Brilliant red foliage develops in the fall and persists through winter. Neat, evergreen mounds work well for borders and in masses.
Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’ 3-4’ tall. New leaves emerge scarlet red in spring and mature to blue-green in summer. Intense red foliage develops as autumn temperatures arrive. Compact shape is ideal for use around structures and in front of hollies.
Landscape uses of nandina are nearly as numerous as the varieties. Nandinas add layers to the landscape when planted in the middle plant of larger beds. They are particularly showy when planted in front of dark green boxwoods and hollies, and behind groundcovers and annual color. With their lacy structure, larger varieties provide a softening effect when planted in front of fences, structures and utilities. Dwarf varieties add interest planted along boarders and in groupings. They even make a great winter accent in containers.
Most winters nandina hold bright colors creating interest in the winter landscape.
Nandinas are a low-maintenance plant. Pruning only needs to be done when a plant has become too large, irregular in shape or leggy. When pruning, use the 1/3 rule: prune back 1/3 of the tallest canes to the ground, prune another 1/3 back just above a leaf approximately halfway on the plant, and leave 1/3 untouched. Nandinas should never be sheared! Shearing nandina ruins the natural beauty of the plant. If nandinas are planted where they need to be sheared regularly, they are planted in the wrong location. It would be better to remove them than to shear them because a sheared nandina adds no value to a landscape.
One of the most prolific shows of fall-winter berries is found on Nandinas.
Pick a sunny, mild January day and take a walk through your neighborhood. You are sure to find a few nandinas brightening up the winter landscape.
Lorne Hall
Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape
(405)367-3873
Nandina should never be sheared. Shearing destroys the natural shape and beauty of the plant.
