NANDINA domestica

Description: Common name: Sacred Bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo. Grows to a small to medium evergreen shrub with upright habit and all year-round interest. In spring, the new leaves emerge pinky- red, the flowers in summer are large panicles of creamy-white and they are followed by green berries turning bright sealing-wax red which look wonderful in autumn together with the leaves which flush crimson

Climate/Position: Some sun will produce the best colouring, but sheltered partial shade is also acceptable

Height/Spread: 1.5 x 1.5 metres but can grow to more than 2 metres if unpruned

Soil Requirements: Prefers a rich soil which is acid to neutral. Moist conditions in summer ensure lush growth but soil should not remain wet in winter. Tolerant of drought once established

Pruning: A low maintenance shrub. Can be pruned to control plant height if needed. The tallest / oldest canes should be cut to the ground or to different heights in early spring this will provide more foliage toward the ground and promote a denser plant

Special Requirements: Berries are mildly toxic but birds love them

Additional Interest: Not actually a bamboo but is in fact a barberry related to Berberis