Dwarf Nandina

Dwarf Nandina for Southern Winter Color

The dwarf nandina is an easy to grow shrub that brings beautiful winter color to the landscape through berries and foliage.  As is indicated by the word "dwarf" in its name, it has a compact growth habit and is easy to keep small with only a little pruning.  Most varieties stay less than three feet tall, and a little wider than tall. Dwarf nandina is sometimes called by the name "heavenly bamboo." 

One of the most common varieties of nandina is the Nandina Domestica.  This is a North American naturalized plant that has been used in foundation plantings around homes for many years.  Some of these older plants are not dwarfs, but grow to six feet tall.  The leaves turn dark burgundy red and stay on all winter.  The plant also features large hanging clusters of longlasting white flowers in the late summer and red berries in the winter.  The berries are eaten by wildlife or can be used in fall arrangements.