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Woody > Nandina > Nandina domestica > Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica


Sacred Bamboo




Origin:  Native to India, China, and Japan.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

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While many cultivars of Sacred Bamboo are great for use in a variety of locations, the straight species has little to offer to any landscape unless frequently maintained. It can be used as an informal hedge but is easily spread by birds and has been classified as an invasive species in the southern United States of America. Even with the winter interest this plant offers I wouldn’t recommend it with so many fine cultivars to take its place, such as N. domestica 'Richmond'.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

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Family
Berberidaceae
Genus
Nandina
Species
domestica
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
Canadian Hardiness Zone
5a - Requires cool season protection under glass.
RHS Hardiness Zone
H3 - H7
Temperature (°C)
-23 -(-1)
Temperature (°F)
-10 - 30
Height
1 - 2.5 m
Spread
0.5 - 1.5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
MayJuneJuly
General Description
Sacred Bamboo is an evergreen shrub with multiple stems covered with glossy bi- to tri-pinnately compound leaves which change colour from green in summer to bright red in winter; foliage is accompanied by red berries.
Landscape
Sacred Bamboo has a wide variety of landscape uses, from foundations to hedges. Uniformity can be hard to achieve in plants grown from seed and can result in a mixed texture when planted 'en masse'.
Cultivation
It grows well in moist, well-drained, rich loamy soils. Best growth occurs in full sun and is drought tolerant however, can tolerate shade in hotter regions.
Shape
Upright weeping shrub.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
Pinnately compound leaves with two or three leaflets, on thin medium to fine textured stems with yellow wood characteristic of the Berberidaceae family. In winter, the leaves are bright red.
Pests
No notable pests, but may be susceptible to Nandina Mosaic which causes mottled colouring on the leaves.
Habitat
Sacred Bamboo grows in the moist woodlands, ravines and valleys in the mountains and warmer regions of Eastern Asia and Japan.
Bark/Stem Description
The bark is reddish in colour when young and matures to a light brown, its texture is medium to fine.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
The buds are pinkish, 1 - 2 mm and nondescript. They are hidden by the ensheathing base of the petiole and are only visible after removing the leaf.
Leaf Description
Sacred Bamboo has broadleaf, evergreen foliage, emerging as alternate bi- to tri-pinnately elliptic-lanceolate compound leaves, 30-90 cm long. Glabrous leaves emerge pinkish and bronzy red and turn a metallic bluish green, becoming hues of red in winter.
Flower Description
The perfect white flowers are found on erect panicles 15 - 30 cm long in early summer, blooms are 5 - 10 mm and have between 3 - 6 petals.
Fruit Description
The fruit of Sacred Bamboo is borne in panicles of bright red berries 6 - 8 mm across, persistent from autumn to winter; each berry contains 1 - 3 seeds.
Colour Description
Sacred Bamboo foliage is metallic bluish-green changing to bright shades of red in autumn and winter. The bark is reddish and matures to a light brown colour. White flowers and small red berries.
Texture Description
Texture can be fine if the plant is kept pruned, otherwise it is a medium textured plant.
Notable Specimens
Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing, New York, United States of America.
Propagation
Sow seeds as soon as possible as they have very poor germination rates. The seed can be germinated by cold stratification or with cold, moist pre-chilling. Division is more common when reproducing a unique specimen for further development and can be accomplished by cutting the root ball in spring. Cuttings can be taken from semi-hardwood or hardwood, between 10-15 cm and rooted in a well-drained media.
References
G.S., Thomas. "Shrubs. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos". Portland, Oregon: Sagapress/Timber, 1992. 286. Print. Dirr, Michael. "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants": Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Champaign, IL: Stipes Pub., 2009. 760-61. Print.
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