Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)

Noted for its red berries and excellent foliage color, Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo) is a small, evergreen, or semi-evergreen shrub, adding multi-season interest to the garden. In spring, a profusion of tiny, white flowers adorned with golden anthers appear in long arching panicles at the tips of the branches. Rich in nectar, they attract bees and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by abundant clusters of green berries, which ripen to bright red and persist throughout fall and winter. Ornamental, they are held against the lacy foliage, which emerges purple, matures to soft green, and turns purple to reddish-purple in fall. Popular in the landscape, Heavenly Bamboo is one of the toughest and most adaptable plants, its berry-laden branches providing a pleasing vertical accent.

• A slow to moderate grower, this rhizomatous shrub features an upright, bamboo-like habit. Grows up to 4-8 ft. tall (120-240 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils as well as full shade. Best foliage and fruit production generally occur in full sun. For best fruiting, plant several specimens, as single plants seldom fruit heavily. Provide a sheltered location and apply organic winter mulch. Drought tolerant once established.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders, woodland gardens, and foundation plantings. Perfect as a specimen plant or for informal hedges
• Low maintenance, it is generally pest and disease free.
• Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
• Both leaves and berries are toxic to livestock, other domestic animals, and wildlife. The berries are particularly toxic to Cedar Waxwings. These pretty birds are voracious feeders, and they become intoxicated and die from eating large quantities of berries. These berries contain cyanogenic glycosides that convert to hydrogen cyanide when ingested. Hydrogen cyanide is highly poisonous to all animals, including dogs, cats, and many other animals.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to Japan, China, and India. The plant tends to be invasive in the southeastern U.S., where it has escaped cultivation.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.