Heavenly Bamboo – Desert Horizon Nursery

Heavenly Bamboo

Nandina domestica
Categories:
Shrubs  ·  
Screening & Hedge Shrubs
Light
Morning sun / afternoon shade
Water
Moderate water; irrigate deeply when the upper 2–3 inches of soil dry. Water more frequently during establishment and extreme summer heat; reduce watering in winter.
Size
4-8 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide
Habit
Upright shrub
Toxicity
Toxic — Pets Humans & Livestock
Description
An upright, cane-forming shrub with delicate, bamboo-like foliage, seasonal red coloring, and clusters of red berries; not a true bamboo.
Bloom Time
Spring to early summer
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Growth Rate
Moderate
Growth Habit
Upright shrub
Mature Size
4-8 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green with seasonal bronze-red in spring and winter
Landscape Use
Border / Bed, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Foundation Planting, Hedge / Screen
Garden Style
Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Hedge / Formal
Soil
Amended / Rich, Prefers Acidic, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Dwarf pittosporum, Liriope, Mondo grass
Toxic — Pets Humans & Livestock
Berries toxic to pets, birds, livestock & humans (cyanogenic)
Care Instructions

Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade or bright filtered shade; protect from intense Phoenix afternoon sun and reflected heat.

Water: Moderate water; irrigate deeply when the upper 2–3 inches of soil dry. Water more frequently during establishment and extreme summer heat; reduce watering in winter.

Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost; prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from stems.

Mature size: Typically 6–8 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide; dwarf cultivars generally remain 1–4 feet tall.

Bloom: Late spring to early summer; flowering and fruiting vary by cultivar.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in Phoenix; may lose some foliage after unusual cold or severe stress.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.