It's reportedly slow growing, is this true? I'm scared to put it in the ground b/c if the temp drops to 10 degrees in winter, the canes will freeze to ground. I had read the "stupendous berries are perfect for X-mas decorating"... is this true on one lone plant? Any (positive) opinions? Remember, this is zone 6 (PA) and it's going to stay in a pot.

Thanks for any comments

Amy

The pure species should have no trouble growing up to six feet tall eventually and having berries (if it flowers, of course, can't have berries without flowers). There are some cultivars that have been bred to be sterile (no berries). Don't know if you got one of those or just the species plant.

Pruning is often recommended to be at ground level - choose several of the oldest canes and prune them to the ground. New ones will come up, rejuvenating the fullness of the plant. You probably don't need to do that this year. Pruning them with traditional methods (snipping off the top) would like result in a "standard" looking plant because of minimal growth from the base.

link suggests its invasive though it might be more so in warmer climes ...

more specific link: http://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/SB_N.html

just because it makes edible seeds.. does not necessarily mean its a good thing ...

ken

I'd consider this to be a very iffy plant for a container in zone 6. It is only borderline hardy in zone 6 and container plantings should target at least 2 zones lower in hardiness, as they are much more vulnerable to cold temperatures. Even in my zone 8 climate, established nandina shrubs in the ground can be severely cut back in a hard winter. They are considered 'evergreen' to about 20F, semi-evergreen/deciduous to about 10F and often will dieback to the roots (or completely) at 0F.

In Asian cultures, this is considered a very significant plant and has a common name of 'sacred bamboo'. They are often given as gifts to celebrate a new household and are frequently placed by the front doors to encourage good spirits and bring happiness into the house. Nandina will grow in either shade or sun, don't seem to care much about soil moisture and offer great fall and winter coloring and wonderful foliage texture. A great plant for the right place.

Gardeners heave a sigh of relief when they learn that Nandina domestica is not related to bamboo, thinking that they�ve chosen a plant that isn't invasive. But as Master Gardeners, it behooves us to remain aware of what can happen when plants escape the confines of our own backyards, and consider all the ways in which plants can be "invasive." Think purple loosestrife. Think ivy. Many people are now choosing not to plant Nandina domestica because it's turned out to like its adopted home in the Western hemisphere all too well. The State of Florida carries it in Category I of its list of plants that are invading and disrupting native plant communities. The introduction to their list states, This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused. The US Forest Service has classified Nandina domestica as a Category 2 threat in the forests of the southeastern regions of the United States. It is not on any lists here, yet, or at least none of which I�m aware. But Nandina domestica, as attractive and as useful a landscape ornamental as it may be, is in fact an invasive plant pest in some areas of the country. Proper berry management�a serious sounding version of "get them before the birds do" is suggested as a precaution. The single most important thing we can do as responsible stewards is to remain aware and ever mindful that what we do in our gardens and outside of them, as well has an impact on something else, somewhere. We're each of us responsible for making the most informed choices we can make. Me, I still have three Heavenly Bamboo plants in my yard. But I'll be beating the birds to the berries and letting others know in presentations, that the case of Nandina domestica reminds us that "invasiveness" has a meaning more broad than one bamboo rhizome uprooting a driveway.

====== >>>> in other posts.. amy has admitted being a total newbie in the garden .... i guess i am going a bit further in the invasive argument .. to teach her something ...

i understand that what is invasive in FL... the prior link .. may not be invasive for her in PA ...

but i feel that we should serve up some learning for her ...

just because she can buy it locally.. or mail order it ... does not mean.. that just because it is pretty ... or just because its berries will feed the birdies .. means the decision is willy nilly made to plant it ....

good luck

ken

ps: and i am still not sure that i would plant something called a bamboo.. which isnt a bamboo ... lol ...

I do know about the extreme "nature" of bamboos, and though this isn't in the family at all, I'm still being careful (thus the "trial"). This is also a dwarf cultivator, nandina, if that means anything about the berries. As I said again,it's on trial. The foliage is gorgeous yes, with no care this winter. IN spring I may plant the pot, maybe.

I do HATE invasive plants (and high maintenance..i.e water hogs).... THANKS everyone...

It seems great for a pot, shallow roots though top growth (on top of the "cane") is like a little tree, maybe 2 foot spread of purple leaves...

Amy

And since the invasive properties of these plants are related to the spreading of ripe seeds by birds, removing any flowers before berries are set pretty much eliminates that issue.

FWIW, this plant offers so much else with regards to foliage texture and color and adaptability to diverse planting sites that I'd consider growing it specifically for berry production pretty far down on the list. And the University of Florida together with the Center for Applied Nursery Research has undertaken trials regarding the suitability of non-invasive cultivars for southern and east coast gardens or those areas where the plant could be problematic.