Frequently Asked Questions
The nandina plant, commonly known as sacred bamboo (though not a true bamboo), is a highly decorative and low-maintenance shrub widely loved in Australian gardens. Its popularity stems from its ability to deliver stunning year-round colour with minimal care. New growth emerges in soft red or bronze hues, maturing to green through summer, then transitioning to brilliant crimson or purple tones in winter. This continual foliage change provides striking visual interest across all seasons.
Because it grows upright and compact, the nandina plant fits well in both traditional and modern gardens. It’s perfect for borders, feature pots, or low-maintenance nandina hedges. Its tolerance for a range of soils, drought, and Australian climates makes it a reliable choice for gardeners wanting year-round beauty and structure.
Nandina plants are remarkably adaptable and grow well in a variety of Australian environments. However, to get the most vibrant colours and healthiest growth, it helps to provide optimal growing conditions. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade – though direct sunlight will enhance the vivid red and purple tones in the foliage, especially in cooler months.
The nandina plant prefers well-drained soil and is not fussy about soil type as long as water doesn’t pool around the roots. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Enriching the soil with compost or organic matter at the time of planting will give young plants a great start. While established nandinas are drought-tolerant, they benefit from consistent moisture during hot or dry spells.
Plant them in a spot with good air circulation and mulch the base to regulate soil temperature and prevent weed growth. With these basic conditions, your nandina hedge or feature plant will thrive beautifully.
When caring for a nandina plant, consistency in watering and fertilising will encourage strong growth and vibrant foliage colour. Newly planted nandinas should be watered regularly, around once or twice a week, especially during the establishment period. Once the root system has developed, the plant becomes quite drought-tolerant and only needs deep watering during prolonged dry periods.
Fertilising your nandina hedge twice a year is usually sufficient. Use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer to support the natural growth cycle and enhance seasonal colour shifts. Over-fertilising can result in excessive green foliage at the expense of the plant’s signature red hues, so it’s best to avoid high-nitrogen products.
Mulching is also helpful for moisture retention and overall plant health. Keeping a regular but gentle care routine will ensure your nandinas stay lush, colourful, and healthy throughout the year, with minimal effort on your part.
Yes, nandina plants are evergreen, making them an excellent choice for maintaining garden structure and interest all year long. Unlike deciduous shrubs that lose their leaves in colder months, nandinas retain their foliage while still providing beautiful seasonal variation in colour. This makes them ideal for gardeners seeking reliable greenery and low-maintenance vibrancy.
One of the key features of the nandina plant is its shifting foliage – from pink and red-tinged new growth in spring to bright green in summer and rich burgundy, scarlet or copper tones in winter. These colour changes are most intense when the plant is grown in full sun. Even without flowering, the leaf colour ensures it remains a visual highlight.
Because of this year-round appeal, nandina hedges and stand-alone nandina shrubs are used to anchor garden beds, soften fences, or enhance patios with lasting beauty that doesn’t fade with the seasons. It’s a truly four-season performer.
At Spring Colours, we offer a curated selection of nandina plants for sale to suit various garden needs and styles. Whether you’re looking for compact forms for edging or taller varieties for a vibrant nandina hedge, we have something for everyone:
- Nandina domestica: The classic variety, known for its tall growth and bold colour transformations.
- Nandina ‘Nana’ (Dwarf Sacred Bamboo): Compact and perfect for borders or containers, staying under 60cm.
- Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’: A popular mid-sized option with vibrant red-orange new growth.
- Nandina ‘Moon Bay’: Upright, bushy form with fine foliage and excellent winter colour.
- Nandina ‘Magical Lemon Lime’: A standout Nandina, known for its lime green/yellow foliage
- Nandina ‘Colourscape’: A new dwarf Nandina, with vibrant red foliage
- Nandina ‘Obsession’: Known for its vivid red new growth and dense, upright habit.
All varieties are grown locally and shipped Australia-wide. Our plants come in different pot sizes to suit both bulk landscaping and small residential projects. Check our product listings for current availability, detailed growth specs, and planting tips.
Nandina hedges are incredibly low-maintenance, but light pruning enhances their form and encourages colourful new growth. Unlike many traditional hedge plants, nandina plants grow naturally upright and tidy, so frequent trimming isn’t necessary unless you’re aiming for a formal look.
Generally, pruning once or twice a year is enough. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before the growing season begins. Remove any old, woody stems and cut back leggy growth to maintain the desired shape. You can also thin out dense areas to improve air circulation.
Avoid harsh shearing – nandinas respond best to selective trimming with secateurs rather than hedge trimmers. This preserves their soft, layered appearance and ensures natural foliage development. With light attention, a nandina hedge will reward you with structured shape, lush leaves, and brilliant seasonal colour, keeping your landscape polished without the need for constant upkeep.
Nandina domestica or nandina is also known by its other names of heavenly bamboo and sacred bamboo. However, this evergreen shrub is not a bamboo at all but a species of the barberry (Berberidaceae) family, a flowering deciduous shrub, that is native to temperate and subtropical climate regions. Nandina derives its name from the Japanese name nanten. Further, its bushy cane-like stems look like bamboo, hence its common names. It grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet tall and width of 2 to 5 feet wide. Nandinas have attractive colourful leaves beginning as a young foliage until it matures. A young nandina has pinkish leaves that turn to soft light green. During the winter season, a tinge of red appears on the green leaves. Additionally, a group of nandinas bear red berries throughout the winter compared to a single nandina that rarely produces any fruit. However, keep in mind that the plant and berries are classified as toxic and poisonous to people, pets, birds and grazing animals. But, don't be disheartened because there are nandina cultivars and non-fruiting varieties that are sterile and perfect as ornamental plants such as the Nandina Nana, Gulf Stream, and Moon Bay among others. Its flowers are white and pink during the summer.
Nandinas are rhizomatous, which means that this plant spreads slowly underground to form a new plant. Because of this, the nandina can be conveniently transplanted because the fleshy roots can easily recover. This plant grows in moist, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade areas. It becomes drought tolerant once it’s established.
Types of Nandina
Nandina Nana - This nandina cultivar has a spherical growth habit that has bright green or yellow green leaves that turns crimson red during the fall and winter. This can be used as a low hedge or border in streetscapes and roundabouts.
Gulf Stream - This is a dwarf and fruitless cultivar that has bronze with orange tints as a young foliage and blue green to gold and red leaves when it matures. Gulf Streams are ideal for walkway planting and in courtyards.
Moon Bay- This is a dense multi-stemmed shrub that produces orange berries in late winter. Moon Bays can be used as a ground cover and border edging.
Blush Pink - Blush Pink nandinas have a rich pink colour that turns deep green when it's older. As an ornamental shrub, this cultivar looks stunning in patio pots or as a border or hedging.
Firepower - The Firepower nandina has a lime-green colour with tinges of red in the spring, light green in summer, and bright red during the fall. It’s beautiful to plant the Firepower in woodland gardens or as a low hedge or edging plant.
Fast Facts about Nandina
Plant type: Shrub, evergreen
Common names: Heavenly Bamboo, Sacred Bamboo
Native origins: Japan, China, India
Growth Rate: Slow- to moderate-growing shrub that grows 12 to 24 inches per year
Mature height and spread: 6 to 8 feet tall; 2 to 5 feet wide
Light: Full sun or partial shade
Temperature: -10 to 100+ degrees Fahrenheit
Soil: High organic matter, moist
Maintenance: High
Uses: Japanese flower arrangements, bouquet fillers, ornamental shrub for landscaping