Lemon Lime nandina

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hot climates. Deep shade reduces the brightness of new growth.

Water

Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, water during prolonged dry spells; container plants need more frequent watering.

Soil

Moist but well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic; tolerates a range of soil textures but not prolonged waterlogging.

Height

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Foliage

Evergreen. Finely divided leaves emerge yellow-green to lime green, then mature to medium green. Usually retains its green colouring rather than turning red in winter.

Growth

Moderate

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

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2 ft (0.61 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.4 ft (0.72 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.7 ft (0.83 m)

5. After 5 years

   3 ft (1.1 m)

   full size

About 5 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

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply when the root zone begins to dry during the first growing season.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser if growth is weak; avoid heavy feeding.
• Use a container with drainage holes and do not leave it standing in water.
• Shelter from drying winter winds, especially near the cold end of its range.

Pruning. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead or frost-damaged stems and, if needed, cutting a few of the oldest stems to ground level. Avoid shearing the foliage into a tight ball, which spoils its natural layered form.

Early spring

Remove dead or winter-damaged stems before new growth develops.

Spring

Refresh mulch and feed lightly if growth or leaf colour is poor.

Late spring

Plant in colder regions once the soil is workable and severe frost has passed.

Summer

Check newly planted shrubs and containers regularly; water deeply during dry weather.

Autumn

Plant in mild-winter regions while the soil is still warm, and water well afterwards.

Winter

Protect exposed containers from severe freezing and check that drainage remains clear.

• Plant in small groups along a partially shaded border to brighten darker green planting.
• Use as a low, informal foundation shrub beneath windows, allowing room for its mature width.
• Grow in a large courtyard container with dark-leaved heucheras for foliage contrast.
• Combine with Japanese maples, ferns and shade-tolerant grasses for a layered woodland effect.

Garden styles it suits: Japanese, Modern courtyard, Woodland, Green on green, Small-space and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Japanese maple, Japanese forest grass, Heuchera, Liriope, Camellia and Autumn fern.

Wildlife: Offers some cover for small animals, but this foliage cultivar provides little flower or fruit value. It generally produces few or no flowers and berries; any berries that do develop should not be encouraged as bird food because nandina fruit can poison birds, particularly when eaten in quantity.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage or move the shrub; do not keep watering saturated ground.
• Leaf scorch in hot sun or drying wind: provide afternoon shade and water during prolonged dry spells.
• Winter leaf loss or stem dieback: choose a sheltered site and remove dead stems in spring; evergreen foliage is less reliable near its cold limit.
• Scale insects: inspect stems and leaf undersides, prune heavily affected shoots and use a labelled horticultural oil when appropriate.

Toxic to cats, dogs, horses and people if eaten. Leaves, stems and especially berries contain cyanogenic compounds; substantial ingestion can cause serious, potentially fatal poisoning. This cultivar's usual lack of berries reduces fruit exposure but does not make its foliage safe to eat.

Where it spreads. Nandina domestica spreads by seed and basal shoots and is listed as invasive in parts of the southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. It has also escaped cultivation in parts of eastern Australia, including New South Wales and Queensland.

• Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)

  The ordinary species is usually much taller, often develops red or purple winter foliage, and commonly bears white flowers followed by red berries.

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

  Usually shorter and more rounded, with broader-looking leaflets and strong red winter foliage rather than Lemon Lime's predominantly green colouring.

• Golden heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica 'Aurea')

  Typically a taller plant that can bear yellowish berries; Lemon Lime is compact and selected for lime-green new foliage. Labels are more dependable than leaf colour alone.

Nandina comes from the Japanese name nanten, while heavenly bamboo refers to the plant's cane-like stems and divided leaves, not a relationship to true bamboo.

Propagation. Named plants are reproduced vegetatively, usually by cuttings; seedlings would not reliably retain the cultivar's characteristics. Check applicable plant patent or plant breeders' rights restrictions before propagating.

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.