Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica (BERBERIDACEAE)
Planting and Growing Heavenly Bamboo
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow heavenly bamboo in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and berries of heavenly bamboo
- Growing conditions for heavenly bamboo
- When and where to plant heavenly bamboo
- How to plant heavenly bamboo
- How to shape, prune and control growth of heavenly bamboo
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of heavenly bamboo
- Landscape uses of heavenly bamboo
- Pest and disease control for heavenly bamboo
- Health hazard warning for heavenly bamboo
Growing Heavenly Bamboo
A single-species genus of bushy, loose, evergreen shrub, to 8 ft. (2.4 m) tall and 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide, with bamboolike, delicate, light green, oval, pointed leaves, 2 in. (50 mm) long, tinted bronze or yellow in some cultivars, turning red in autumn.
Dwarf cultivars to 1 ft. (30 cm) tall and 1 ft. (30 cm) wide available.
Heavenly Bamboo Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Fruit
Small, white flowers in late spring–summer, in lacy clusters, to 1 ft. (30 cm) long, with red berries, to 1/4-in. (6-mm) wide, in autumn.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 6–10; ground hardy, zones 7–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to dry, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.5–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to partial shade. Space 2–6 ft. (60–180 cm) apart, depending on cultivar.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Fertilize every 2 months spring–autumn. Prune in early spring. Mulch, zones 6–7. Protect from frost in zone 6. Propagate by seed.
About This Species
Good choice for containers, screens in tropical gardens. Berries more abundant if groups are planted. Drought tolerant. Deer, pest and oak root fungus resistant. Chlorosis susceptible.
Warning:
Berries and foliage of Nandina domestica are fatally toxic to pets if eaten and may cause digestive upset in humans. Avoid planting in any area frequented by pets or children.