Heavenly Bamboo Care Must-Knows
Heavenly bamboo performs best in rich, moist, well-drained soil and full sun, which encourages the best growth, foliage color, and fruit set. Plant this shrub in groups to get the best fruiting. Although it does best with consistent watering, heavenly bamboo can tolerate some drought after it’s established. Heavenly bamboo looks its best when allowed to grow naturally. If you decide to prune, however, trim the branches in a staggered fashion to retain a fuller-looking habit.
Risks and Rewards
Weigh the pros and cons before planting heavenly bamboo. Although it performs well, this easy-to-grow plant bears bright red berries that are toxic to many birds. Those that survive eating the berries spread seeds through droppings, which can lead to heavenly bamboo popping up where it’s not wanted. In fact, this evergreen shrub is listed as an invasive species in several southern states. It’s also shade-tolerant, which means it’s capable of invading forests. In addition, heavenly bamboo’s tough, vigorous roots make it difficult to eradicate once you’ve planted it. Any root segment left behind after the shrub is removed can become a full-blown shrub.
More Varieties of Heavenly Bamboo
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica ‘Pygmaea’, also known as ‘Nana’, is noted for its dense, mounding foliage and small size. It doesn’t produce much fruit. It grows 2-4 feet tall. Zones 6-9
‘Fire Power’ Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica ‘Fire Power’ forms a 2-foot-tall mound. The fine-texture leaves turn deep red in winter. Zones 6-9
‘Richmond’ Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica ‘Richmond’ is a heavy berry producer and grows to 5 feet tall. Zones 6-9
