Nandina – The bush with the absolutely … Christmas look
Nandina – The bush with greenish-red foliage and crimson fruits that at the end of autumn turns into a natural Christmas ornament.
General characteristics
Nantina domestica its botanical name and it is a perennial and native to China and Japan and with more than fifty varieties.
The shoots of certain varieties, while the plant grows and becomes woody, resemble these , which is why it is often referred to worldwide as Heavenly bamboo or Sacred bamboo.
Its decorative value is due both to the foliage which, depending on the season and depending on the variety, acquires a reddish hue in summer or winter, and to the flowers which turn into red fruits and give the plant a very impressive appearance.
Its foliage consists of lance-shaped leaves 8-10cm long and is preserved in the plant all seasons and only in areas with prolonged low temperatures during the winter can a partial fall be observed. The height of Nandina reaches 150-300cm for the normal varieties and 30-50cm for the dwarfs.
It is suitable for individual or mass plantings in landscape formations, creating a low fence – edging or garden corridors, for planting in entrances as well as as a second row plant in ornamental flower beds combined with other lower species. It thrives just as satisfactorily in planting containers as long as they are the right size for the Nandina’s root system which grows quite deep as well as laterally. For the same reason, its cultivation in pots requires transplanting every 2-3 years.
It belongs to the species of slow-moderate growth and in the first 1-2 years after planting it often does not show flowering – fruiting. It is listed in the toxic plants for this and it is necessary to protect pets and especially small children from ingesting foliage – fruits.
Care
Soil: For Nadina, use an enriched and as acidic outdoor potting soil that has very good drainage.
Location: Nadina thrives in both full sun and partial shade. The more light it receives, the more intense the color of the foliage. It shows great resistance to both high and low temperatures.
Watering: It needs moderate watering 2-3 times a week during the spring and autumn and the hot periods of the summer even more often, during the initial period of its planting and if it is placed directly on the ground, depending of course also on the weather conditions. In the following years, even if it is placed in a pot, watering should be slightly less, 1-2 times a week, and in any case the soil must have very good drainage.
Pruning: In late winter or very early spring, when relatively normal temperatures prevail, it can be lightly pruned so that the compact foliage maintains its shape.
Fertilization: A booster for flowering ornamentals every 30 days, during the spring, particularly favors its growth and flowering.
Flowering – Propagation
Nadina blooms in early summer producing small that gradually turn to pink and finally crimson fruits. It is propagated by cuttings, early summer or by division of the roots when transplanting plants into a pot, early spring or autumn. In nurseries you will find small or already grown Nandina plants to add to your this highly decorative and durable shrub, which has no special cultivation requirements.
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