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 Nandina RichmondChinese Bamboos
 Nandina pygmea
Nandinas
These are commonly known as Heavenly or Chinese bamboos even though they are more commonly grown in Japan and are not related to Bamboos at all. However their shoots and leaves have a Bamboo like appearance. Nandinas belong to the Barberry family but one can only see this familiarity by its flowers and berries.
Nandinas are marvellous tough dwarf or taller growing shrubs. They are cast iron plants, always looking good with their decorative leaves. During the colder months most varieties change leaf colour from pinks and ambers through to glowing red and orange. This is more pronounced in colder and dryer climates where the plants are grown out in the open. In shady areas the leaves tend to remain green .The arrangement of Nandina leaves fits in well with oriental and tropical plantings.
Most will grow in restricted areas and can easily be trimmed back to fit into tight spaces. To lower a Nandina prune taller canes right down the ground. New canes will sprout forth from the tight thicket of underground stems. The cut stems will last for many weeks in a vase .
Plant Nandinas in well drained soil. Although the leaves colour better if the plants are impoverished I prefer to feed my plants in the spring to promote plenty of healthy leaves.By the time autumn comes around the plants have used all of the nutrients in the soil and will turn those brilliant colours.
Nandinas are particulary good as container plants because lack of watering will promote red leaves. Indeed they are tolerant of considerable neglect.
Varieties
Nandina Gulfstream
I use this plant such a lot in landscaping because it is a truly beautiful and versatile dwarf growing shrub.It is very dense growing with very lacy leaves. The leaves are lime and green at first and mature to a bronze rose. In winter they are a fiery red and orange colour. This variety will grow 1.2ms if left unchecked but is easily kept smaller. Wonderful for massed plantings or as a low easy care hedge.
Nandina Harbour Dwarf
A small spreading grower to 60 cms high. Mass planted it makes a very good ground cover and looks good in front of Hydrangeas, Camellias and Rhododendrons. The small lacy green green leaves turn maroon red through winter. A few sprays of white flowers are produced through summer followed in autumn by red berries.
Nandina Pygmy
A favourite plant of the seventies where it was planted in rockeries or in front of conifers .Most of these plants still endure today in mature gardens. The leaves are rounded and curl inwards. They start lime green, turning to purple, orange and scarlet through winter. A totally no maintenance plant. Will grow into a nice rounded shape without any intervention. 60 cms tall.
Nandina Richmond
A favourite plant of mine because it always looks fantastic. This is the tallest growing of the Nandinas slowly attaining 3ms in height. It is an elegant shrub producing slender reddish cane like stems. These are topped with large leaflets which are finely cut. New leaves are tinged pink but mature to green. During winter they turn a bronzy green. Erect panicles of creamy white flowers are produced in abundance through late spring and early summer. By autumn the ensuring red berries adorn the shrub. They glow right through the winter months and remarkably are untouched by birds until late spring. This is a pretty rare event in the garden as most winter berries are quickly decimated by birds. Both berries and foliage are long lasting in a vase.
Nandina Richmond
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