Harbour Dwarf nandina

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch in hot climates. Winter colour is usually strongest with good light.

Water

Water regularly during establishment, then during prolonged dry spells. Established plants tolerate some drought but grow better with occasional deep watering.

Soil

Moist but well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic; tolerates a range of textures but dislikes waterlogging and very alkaline soil.

Height

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m), gradually wider through underground shoots

Flowers

Small white flowers in late spring to early summer; flowering is often sparse on this dwarf cultivar.

Foliage

Evergreen. Finely divided leaves with small, pointed leaflets; new growth is often bronze, becoming green, then flushing red or bronze in cool weather.

Growth

Slow

Care needed

Low

• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

   full size

About 8 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Invasive in

the US and Australia

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Slow

• Water deeply when the root zone starts to dry during the first growing season.
• Apply a 2-3 in (5-8 cm) layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Remove unwanted spreading shoots before the clump extends beyond its allotted space.
• Remove any berries before birds eat them; this cultivar fruits less freely than typical nandina but is not reliably sterile.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, cut dead or damaged stems to ground level and remove an occasional old stem if the clump becomes congested. Avoid shearing, which spoils its naturally layered foliage.

Late winter

Check for winter-damaged stems and remove them once severe cold has passed.

Early spring

Plant or divide established clumps where the soil is workable, and water thoroughly.

Spring

Refresh mulch and give a light feed only if needed.

Summer

Water during extended dry weather and check exposed foliage for scorch.

Autumn

Remove any developing berries and unwanted rooted shoots.

Winter

Protect container roots from prolonged freezing in colder regions; keep pots draining freely.

• Plant as a low edging beside paths, allowing space for its spreading habit.
• Group beneath small trees with carex and hellebores for contrasting leaf shapes.
• Use in foundation beds where a low shrub will not obscure windows.
• Grow in a broad, well-drained container for fine foliage and winter colour.

Garden styles it suits: Japanese, Modern courtyard, Woodland, Winter interest, Low-maintenance and Small-space.

Plant it with: Japanese maple, Hellebore, Japanese forest grass, Coral bells, Camellia and Japanese sedge.

Wildlife: Occasional flowers may attract visiting insects, but this is primarily a foliage plant. Berries contain cyanogenic compounds and have caused fatal poisoning in birds, notably cedar waxwings; remove fruit rather than planting it as a bird-food shrub.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage or move the plant to a raised bed; do not leave containers standing in water.
• Yellow leaves with green veins on alkaline soil: check soil pH and use an iron treatment suitable for the conditions; persistent problems may require a different planting site.
• Leaf scorch in hot, dry positions: provide afternoon shade and water deeply during drought.
• Scale insects: inspect stems and leaf undersides; remove small infestations by hand or use a labelled horticultural oil as directed.

Toxic to cats, dogs, horses and people if eaten. Leaves, stems and berries contain cyanogenic compounds; berries are a particular ingestion risk. Poisoning can be serious, causing breathing difficulty, weakness or collapse. Keep it away from grazing animals and seek urgent medical or veterinary advice after suspected ingestion.

Where it spreads. Nandina domestica is invasive in parts of the southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, and is an environmental weed in parts of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Harbour Dwarf flowers and fruits less freely than the species but is not reliably sterile and also spreads locally by underground shoots.

• Standard heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)

  The typical species develops much taller, upright cane-like stems and usually flowers and fruits more freely; Harbour Dwarf stays low and spreading.

• Fire Power nandina (Nandina domestica 'Fire Power')

  Fire Power generally has larger, broader leaflets and a denser, more rounded habit; Harbour Dwarf has finer foliage and spreads into a low clump.

Nandina comes from the Japanese name nanten, while heavenly bamboo refers to the plant's cane-like stems and divided leaves rather than any relationship to true bamboo.

Propagation. Divide rooted spreading shoots in spring or take semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Seed does not reliably preserve the cultivar's characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Nandina domestica

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states and Pacific Basin.

Native range

China North-Central, China South-Central and China Southeast.

Measured

Soil pH 4.5 to 6. Average height 244 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.