How tall do nandinas grow?
Nandina is an evergreen shrub in the barberry (berberidaceae) family (pdf) that usually grows 4 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Its pinnately compound leaves look similar to those of bamboo, hence its common name “sacred bamboo. Leaflets are between 1 and 2 inches long and turn red at lower temperatures. Younger or more newly planted nandina will have higher water needs than mature or established plants. newly planted nandinas should be given a nice soaking watering when planted and weekly until established. Once the plant is established, watering can be done on an as needed schedule.Nandina has a moderately fast growth rate and spreads by underground rhizomes. Seasonal pruning can be done in late winter or mid-summer by removing oldest, woodiest growth at or near the base of the plant to allow new growth to take its place; this should be done every few years to keep plants looking fresh.Nandina domestica is low maintenance and easy to grow. Plant in spring or autumn, in a sunny, well drained spot that is sheltered from cold, drying winds. Nandinas do best in a slightly acidic soil, so mulch with bark chippings after planting.Perennials To Plant With Nandina Several choices of shade-loving and sun-loving will grow well with nandinas. For a woodland feel, consider hellebores, ferns, hostas, sweet woodruff, and dogtooth violets, which can be used as ground cover or a lower story layer.
Is Nandina a good or bad plant?
The U. S. Department of Agriculture and most states classify Nandina domestica as a noxious, non-native, invasive weed from China and Japan. It has naturalized and invaded our national parks, national widlife refuges, national forests, city parks, and other habitats throughout the U. S. Perennials To Plant With Nandina Several choices of shade-loving and sun-loving will grow well with nandinas. For a woodland feel, consider hellebores, ferns, hostas, sweet woodruff, and dogtooth violets, which can be used as ground cover or a lower story layer.Nandina domestica (heavenly or sacred bamboo) is an ornamental shrub with attractive foliage and red berries. It is toxic to cats, dogs, birds, and grazing animals.Nandina domestica is low maintenance and easy to grow. Plant in spring or autumn, in a sunny, well drained spot that is sheltered from cold, drying winds. Nandinas do best in a slightly acidic soil, so mulch with bark chippings after planting.
Where is the best place to plant nandinas?
Nandinas are relatively easy to grow in your garden, and they’re ideal for USDA hardiness zones 6-9. They prefer rich, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun. Bear in mind that foliage color will vary, depending on the amount of sunlight the shrub gets. Nandinas can do well in partial shade to full sun, as long as they have soil that drains well.Planting a Nandina They will grow happily in anything from full sun to around three-quarters shade. Several types will even tolerate heavier shade, even if it’s not ideal for them.Additionally, if we are interested in wildlife, we should remove nandina from our yards. If you can’t bring yourself to do so, at the very least, cut off and dispose of the clusters of nandina berries that appear on your plants before the birds find them.Prune the canes out all the way to the ground and don’t remove more than 1/3 of the total canes. This will encourage fresh, new stems to sprout with beautiful new foliage. Never shear Nandina as it destroys the soft, informal character of the plant.
Does Nandina lose its leaves in winter?
Nandina lose their leaves if we have prolonged cold temperatures in the winter. The shocker is how much of the plant is leaves. Nandina have very large compound leaves that make up most of the plant’s volume. The loss of the leaves causes the plant to appear dead. Nandina Pruning Tips. Evaluate your space and if your Nandina needs pruning. Using a hand-pruner, cut up to 1/3 of the canes all the way down to the soil level. Prune in late winter or early spring.Nandina has a moderately fast growth rate and spreads by underground rhizomes. Seasonal pruning can be done in late winter or mid-summer by removing oldest, woodiest growth at or near the base of the plant to allow new growth to take its place; this should be done every few years to keep plants looking fresh.Steps to Care for Nandina in Winter Nandina need good drainage and a moderate amount of water over the winter. They do not need pruning in fall and should need little weather protection if grown in-ground in zones 6-9.How to Fertilize Nandina. Nandina prefer a soil with a pH ranging from 6. If a soil test has confirmed that your soil is well within the range, you can use an all-purpose balanced fertilizer. Look for an N-P-K ratio such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 and follow package directions.