Nandinas, also known as Heavenly Bamboo, are a popular ornamental shrub known for their striking foliage colors and textures. With their delicate, lacy leaves and ability to transform from shades of red, orange, and lime green, it’s no wonder nandinas are a staple in many landscapes.
But when planning your garden design an important consideration is understanding how tall nandinas can grow. Their mature height can vary significantly depending on the species and cultivar. Here is a complete guide to the range of heights you can expect from nandina plants.
Factors That Impact Nandina Growth Height
Several key factors influence the ultimate size a nandina will reach:
Species and Cultivar
There is only one true species of nandina – Nandina domestica. The species plant can grow quite large, up to 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide at maturity. But there are numerous cultivars that have been bred to have a more compact dwarfed growth habit.
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Smaller dwarf and semi-dwarf nandina cultivars may only reach 2 to 4 feet tall at their peak size.
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Popular compact varieties include Harbor Dwarf, Gulf Stream, Obsession, Blush Pink, and Firepower.
Growing Conditions
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The amount of sunlight impacts growth rate. Nandinas grown in full sun tend to grow taller than those kept in partial shade.
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Insufficient sunlight and poor drainage can result in stunted growth.
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Hot climates can cause very fast, leggy growth that exceeds expected size ranges. Nandinas thrive best in USDA zones 6-9.
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Extreme winter cold and wind may damage stems and limit mature height.
Time and Pruning
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Allowing 10 years or more of unpruned growth results in much larger plants than their expected mature heights.
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Regular pruning helps keep nandinas contained within desired size ranges.
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Older overgrown plants can be rejuvenated by cutting back to 6-12 inches from the ground in early spring.
Proper Care
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Providing adequate water, fertilizer, pest control and mulching leads to optimal growth rate and size.
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Neglecting basic care practices may result in smaller plants.
Typical Heights of Popular Nandina Varieties
Here are the approximate mature heights you can expect from some of the most popular nandina cultivars when properly cared for:
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Firepower – 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
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Obsession – 3 to 4 feet tall, 3 feet wide
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Harbour Dwarf – 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
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Gulf Stream – 3 to 3.5 feet tall, 3 feet wide
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Blush Pink – 2 feet tall and wide
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Flirt – 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
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Sienna Sunrise – up to 4 feet tall and wide
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Lemon Lime – up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide
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Nana Purpurea – 1.5 to 2 feet tall and wide
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Nana – 1 to 1.5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
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Species Nandina – 5 to 8 feet tall, 4 to 5 feet wide
Designing with Mature Size in Mind
When selecting nandinas for your landscape, pay close attention to the specific cultivar and its expected mature size. Avoid planting them in spots where they will eventually overgrow and block paths or windows.
Leave adequate space between nandinas based on their spread at maturity, generally 2 to 5 feet depending on the variety. Purchase young starter plants and prune regularly to maintain ideal sizes.
With proper selection and care for their growth habits, nandinas can grace gardens for years without turning into overgrown monsters. Their graceful textures and fabulous foliage colors make them a wonderful design choice. Just be sure to choose the right cultivar for your specific space and needs.
Maintaining Your Nandina’s Size Through Pruning
To keep nandina shrubs neat and contained within their intended size range, occasional pruning is required. Here are some tips:
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The best time to prune nandinas is in late winter while they are dormant. Avoid cutting during active growth periods.
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Use sharp bypass hand pruners and clean all tools before and after with isopropyl alcohol to prevent disease transmission.
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Thinning or selectively removing stems maintains shape and reduces leggy growth. Cut aging stems back to just above a healthy leaf node.
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Renew overgrown plants by cutting all stems back to 6-12 inches from the ground in early spring. This stimulates fresh compact growth.
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Dwarfed cultivars need pruning less often than full-size nandinas. Monitor regularly and prune only as needed to control size.
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Dispose of pruned stems promptly since they can harbor pests and diseases if left on the ground.
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Never shear or hedge nandinas. This destroys their natural shape and leads to thick, unattractive growth over time.
With the right pruning practices, you can easily keep nandinas from exceeding their expected compact sizes. Pay attention to their growth habits and prune judiciously to encourage lush growth that stays neatly tailored to your landscape design needs.
Caring for Nandinas to Promote Healthy Growth
While pruning controls nandina size, providing proper care is key to achieving optimal growth and performance. Here are tips for care:
Site Selection
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Choose a spot with either full sun or partial afternoon shade. Morning shade is acceptable.
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Well-draining soil enriched with organic matter is ideal. Avoid wet, poorly draining sites.
Watering
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Water at planting and 2-3 times per week while establishing for the first 3 months.
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After established, water during drought 1-2 times per month. Increase frequency in extreme heat.
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Always check soil moisture before watering. Water when top few inches become dry.
Fertilization
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In early spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer formulated for shrubs and evergreens.
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Alternatively, use a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the active growing season.
Mulching
- Maintain 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
Pest Control
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Inspect regularly for signs of insects like whiteflies. Take prompt action to control.
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Clear fallen debris and diseased stems quickly to prevent issues.
With the right care regimen tailored to your climate, nandinas will thrive and achieve their ideal mature stature. Follow these best practices for healthy, vigorous growth.
The Colorful Appeal of Graceful Nandinas
Part of what makes nandinas so prized is the airy, delicate texture they provide contrasted with their vivid red fall and winter colors. With so many compact cultivars to choose from, you can find a variety perfect for your specific needs and available space.
Just be sure to research the mature size expected for the particular nandina cultivar you select. Plant them with their ultimate height and spread in mind. With smart landscape design and proper care, nandinas will enhance your garden for years of colorful enjoyment.
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Nandina domestica ‘Lemon-Lime’ PP24749
Attractive heavenly bamboo with lime green new growth; this beauty will brighten dark spaces and add dimension with its fresh, citrus hue.
Part Sun to Shade
USDA Zones 6a – 10b
How to grow Nandina Domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)
FAQ
Why not to plant Nandina?
No one should be planting Nandina anywhere. It is highly invasive, destroying eco-systems, and also highly toxic to wildlife, including birds. The berries produce hydrogen cyanide, which when ingested by birds causes hemorrhaging of the internal organs, and a painful death within an hour of being eaten.
How fast do nandinas grow?
Do Nandinas like sun or shade?
Nandina tolerates full sun to deep shade. Expect more vibrant colors in fall and winter when sited in sunny locations. Unlike dwarf cultivars, the species and some older cultivars lose their lower branches to reveal bare or “leggy” leafless stems.
Where is the best place to plant Nandina?
Although fully hardy, Nandina grows best in a sheltered spot away from chilly winds in well-drained soil and in full sun.
How big does a Nandina grow?
However there are numerous cultivars that have been bred for more compact growth and other desirable traits. The species nandina can grow quite large up to 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide at maturity. But by selecting one of the many dwarf or semi-dwarf cultivars, you can control the ultimate size.
How far apart do Nandina plants grow?
The Heavenly Bamboo Nandina is a great specimen shrub. It grows to be 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. This pretty nandina plant in a pot will add a bright splash of color to your front door, porch, patio, or deck. For borders or hedges plant about 3 feet apart. Otherwise, plant about 5 feet apart to give your plants space in-between.
What is a dwarf Nandina?
Nandina domestica ‘Lemon Lime’ is a dwarf nandina shrub that has bright green foliage in spring and fall. This shrub doesn’t flower or produce berries and grows up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall. Heavenly Bamboo ‘Moyers Red’ is a semi-dwarf landscape nandina shrub, growing up to 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide.
Are Nandina plants evergreen?
This broadleaf evergreen is the lone member of the genus Nandina. Nandina plants have attractive berries and leaves, photograph by miheco. Plants tend to grow as upright shrubs and have attractive compound leaves that turn purple in the winter. These are carried on upright stems reminiscent of Bamboo.
Are nandinas easy to grow?
Nandinas are relatively easy to grow in your garden, and they’re ideal for USDA hardiness zones 6-9. They prefer rich, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun. Bear in mind that foliage color will vary, depending on the amount of sunlight the shrub gets. Nandinas are great for both in-ground and container plantings.
What does Nandina domestica look like?
Grown as an ornamental shrub, it is characterized by cane-like stems and finely textured leaves that resemble those of bamboo, which is how Nandina domestica got its common name. Add this striking, low-maintenance plant to your garden by planting or transplanting it in the cooler fall months.