Grow Well Guides

Nandina

Brighten up your outdoor space with our stunning selection of nandina! These evergreen shrubs are hardy and low maintenance, and they also boast vibrant red foliage as the temperature drops!

Planting Calendar

Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring

Nandina are available through out the year but are best planted from spring through to autumn.

Prepare

Nandina, also known as Japanese or Sacred Bamboo is a hardy shrub that can be grown in most climatic conditions throughout New Zealand. Some Nandina have beautiful foliage colour during autumn and others retain their bright colours year round. Great as an informal hedge, in containers, or in a mixed border.

Position

Best suited to positions that have full sun or light shade. Free draining soil rich in organic matter.

Soil

When planted into the ground Nandina prefer a free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains Saturaid, which helps with moisture retention in the soil.

Plant

When planting into the ground, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plant’s root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Kings Sheep Pellets and Kings 24 plus fertiliser, then mix together. Backfill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay. When planting into containers plant into Kings Container Mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist.

Care

Watering

Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly, allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than just allowing it to run off the top of the surface of the soil.

Feeding

When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. If planted into a container, feed with Kings Liquid Fast Food along with monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster this encourages strong roots and a healthy immune system.

Mulching

Mulch around the base of the plants (making sure it is not in direct contact with the trunk) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to lock moisture in the ground.

Spraying

Generally pest free so no spraying required.

Pruning

Prune for shape and size when needed.

Beginner Tip

Makes a great low hedge that is tough and hardy.

Expert Tip

The colder the weather the brighter the foliage colour will be in winter.

Top Varieties

Nandina domestica Firepower

Slender cane like stems that are topped with pink bronzy red foliage that turns lime green in summer. During the colder months the foliage is pink-deep red. Grows 60 x 60cm.

Nandina domestica Gulf Stream

Lush blue-green summer foliage that turns bright orangey red in the colder months. Frost hardy and tough grows to 75 x 60cm. Great for pots.

Nandina domestica lemon n lime.

Compact shrub with bright yellow-green lemony tones on new growth. Grows 1m x 1m.

Frequently Asked Questions