Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica
Also listed as Nandina denudata, Nandina tsermonanten
Also known as Sacred Bamboo, Chinese-bamboo, Southern Heaven-bamboo
Climate Match for your location
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Heavenly Bamboo is an ornamental shrub prized for its delicate foliage that turns brilliant red and orange in fall and winter, and its small red berries that persist into the colder months. It offers year-round visual interest despite being relatively low-maintenance.
Why grow it
Heavenly Bamboo offers reliable four-season ornamental value through foliage color change and persistent fruit, making it a moderate alternative to deciduous shrubs that fade entirely in winter. It requires minimal pruning and fertilization compared to many ornamental shrubs, though it is slower-growing than some faster-filling landscape options. The plant performs adequately across USDA zones 6-11, though cold hardiness diminishes toward zone 6.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, particularly in hot or sandy soils. The dense growth habit can trap moisture and reduce air circulation, so spacing and occasional thinning help prevent fungal issues. In warmer climates, afternoon shade reduces leaf scorch and extends the intensity of fall color.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Berberidaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Firepower delivers brilliant orange-red fall and winter foliage, Harbor Dwarf is a compact mounding form, and Gulf Stream is upright with good color retention.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Heavenly Bamboo is an ornamental shrub prized for its delicate foliage that turns brilliant red and orange in fall and winter, and its small red berries that persist into the colder months. It offers year-round visual interest despite being relatively low-maintenance.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Heavenly Bamboo grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Heavenly Bamboo offers reliable four-season ornamental value through foliage color change and persistent fruit, making it a moderate alternative to deciduous shrubs that fade entirely in winter. It requires minimal pruning and fertilization compared to many ornamental shrubs, though it is slower-growing than some faster-filling landscape options. The plant performs adequately across USDA zones 6-11, though cold hardiness diminishes toward zone 6.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, particularly in hot or sandy soils. The dense growth habit can trap moisture and reduce air circulation, so spacing and occasional thinning help prevent fungal issues. In warmer climates, afternoon shade reduces leaf scorch and extends the intensity of fall color.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Berberidaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Firepower delivers brilliant orange-red fall and winter foliage, Harbor Dwarf is a compact mounding form, and Gulf Stream is upright with good color retention.