Sacred Bamboo
Nandina domestica, also known as the Japanese Sacred Bamboo and Heavenly Bamboo is a much used low growing shrub . Wholesale nurseries offer an excellent range of these low maintenance low growing border or hedging plants.
Originally from Japan this is not actually a bamboo at all, and is not invasive like many bamboos, although it may self seed.
The foliage reminds us of bamboo however this is not a bamboo at all. New foliage is an attractive red turning to green with a red tinge. Red berries in autumn are an added attraction.
The foliage which is green when new and then turns to red. You will find that the red color is more intense in colder climates.
Being a very hardy plant, they can be grown in containers or in the garden, and with both small and taller growing varieties available you can find a type suited to almost any landscaping application.
Landscaping Uses
The species itself is relatively low growing N. domestica will reach around 1.5m, excellent when used as a low hedging plant. Some lower growing or ‘dwarf’ cultivars are also available, used widely as low borders or for mass planting in commercial landscapes
Grown as a low screen, in clumps, as a border plant or as a foliage plant in pots or containers its bamboo like foliage is sometimes accompanied by small flowers followed by white berrys.
Nandina domesticas it copes with a range of situations including full sun to shade, poor soil and lack of moisture. N.domestica and its cultivars are widely used when landscaping in difficult situations. Evergreen, but with good autumn color, an excellent choice for a low growing hedging plant in tough positions. and is a tough drought tolerant.
Traditional Uses
In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried leaves, the seeds and roots were used for therapeutic purposes. We are dealing with the plant as an ornamental garden plant.
How To grow Nandina domestica – Basic Care
These are a particularly low care plant once established.
- Full sun to dappled shade.
- Well drained humus rich soil.
- Dig over the soil before planting adding some extra compost if required.
- Plant at the same depth as it was in the container.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the new plants to retain some moisture.
- Water through the first summer.
- Fertilise in spring using a general purpose slow release type fertiliser.
Pruning Nandina domestica
Over time Nandina will form a large clump that can easily be divided in early spring, it will self seed so remove flower heads before the berries form or look for ‘Gulf Stream’ which does not seem to flower. Light pruning will help keep the plants bushy and compact.
Species and varieties
Over recent year a number of new cultivars have been released. A range of heights, foliage colours and other characteristics which provide the landscaper with a broad range of choices for a range of uses.
It is the dwarf cultivars that are the most popular. All varieties are versatile in application, being regarded as having the following characteristics.
- Drought tolerant.
- Frost tolerant.
- Low maintenance.
- Suited to coastal areas.
- Suited to humid climates.
Popular Nandina Varieties
- N. domestica This is the variety that is commonly called Japanese Sacred Bamboo.
- Nandina domestica ‘nana’ a dwarf variety that will reach a little over .5m. New green foliage that turns to a brilliant mix of red, orange and purple
- Nandina domestica domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ (Moon Bay) is a recent introduction, low growing (around .6m) it seems to be a sterile cultivar as we have not seen it flower. New green foliage turns to a orange to salmon pink.
- Nandina domestica ‘Blush’ good pink to red foliage for long periods.
- Moon Bay is a dwarf cultivar with many great attributes.
Great new foliage, excellent winter colour, evergreen and drought tolerant once established. The foliage is much more attractive than N. domestica ‘Nana’, Nandina Moon Bay has a good upright habit, and in our opinion the excellent ‘Moon Bay’ and ‘Gulf stream’ seem to by synonymous.
This is a Nandina that has great colour changes through the season, bringing added interest to a range of landscaping applications. It is also easy to prune and look great as an informal hedge as a ‘filler’ in the border or used in mass plantings as a ground cover.
One of a number of Heavenly Bamboo varieties, Nandina Moon Bay has the advantage of brilliant autumn colour and being naturally low growing.
Plants are readily available for sale from both retail and wholesale nurseries.
Nandina domestica is available for sale from the following participating suppliers
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service.
www.blericktreefarm.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
Wholesale Growers
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au