Plant Library

Other Names:  Heavenly Bamboo

Description:

A compact version of the species which emerges pink, matures to green, but eventually turns purplish-pink to red in fall; spring flowers but very little fruit; great for mass planting, borders, and foundation planting; suckers less than other varieties

Ornamental Features

Harbour Dwarf Nandina has attractive green evergreen foliage which emerges pink in spring on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. The small pointy bipinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding red in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It has masses of beautiful panicles of creamy white flowers with yellow anthers at the ends of the branches from mid to late spring, which emerge from distinctive shell pink flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The brick red stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Harbour Dwarf Nandina is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Harbour Dwarf Nandina is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Harbour Dwarf Nandina will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It has a low canopy. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in a location that gets morning sunlight but is shaded from the hot afternoon sun, although it will also grow in full shade. Keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Harbour Dwarf Nandina makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.