Heavenly bamboo is part of the barberry family of plants and not actually bamboo. This plant got its name from its vertical, cane-like stems and finely textured compound leaves that resemble those of its namesake plant. Heavenly bamboo has softly textured, colorful foliage. As leaves first emerge, they appear reddish pink and as they mature, they transform to a soft bluish-green color.
The real show begins in the fall, though. Heavenly bamboo also bears spikes of white blossoms in spring that give way to sprays of glowing red berries in winter in some varieties. The tough-as-nails shrub thrives in a variety of conditions but weigh the pros and cons before planting heavenly bamboo. Although it performs well, the berries of this easy-to-grow plant are toxic, and the plant is considered an invasive species in the southeastern United States. If you decide to plant it, it is best to select a variety that produces few or no berries.
The plant is toxic to humans, pets, and birds.
Heavenly Bamboo Overview
Where to Plant Heavenly Bamboo
Plant heavenly bamboo in full sun and rich, well-drained soil with a wide pH range from acidic to alkaline.
There are many landscape uses for heavenly bamboo: as a foundation plant, a low-growing hedge or screen along a property line, or a shrub border. The finely textured foliage forms an attractive contrast to ornamentals with larger, green leaves as well as grasses, and even conifers.
This evergreen shrub is listed as an invasive species in several southern states. Birds eat the berries and spread seeds through droppings, which can lead to heavenly bamboo popping up where it's not wanted. The shrub is also shade-tolerant, which means it is capable of invading forests. The 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.
How and When to Plant Heavenly Bamboo
Plant heavenly bamboo in the spring or fall. Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and just as deep. Place the shrub in the hole and gently spread out the roots. Backfill with the original soil so that the top of the root ball is flush with the soil. Tamp down the soil and water it well. Keep the soil moist for the first and water it regularly during the first growing season to encourage a strong root system.
Space plants 2 to 5 feet apart, depending on the intended landscape use. Mass plantings, hedge plants, and compact varieties can be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart.
Heavenly Bamboo Care Tips
The plant is easy to grow; however, preventing it from spreading in unwanted areas may require some effort.
Light
The shrub develops the best foliage color in full sun but also tolerated partial shade.
Soil and Water
Heavenly bamboo performs best in rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 3.7 and 6.4.
Although it does best with consistent watering, heavenly bamboo can tolerate some drought after it's established.
Temperature and Humidity
As an evergreen shrub that is native to China and Japan. heavenly bamboo is best grown in a warm but not hot climate. It can survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees F. It it dies back to the ground over the winter, it is likely to regrow from its strong roots in the spring. The shrub does best in a slightly humid climate
Fertilizer
Fertilize heavenly bamboo twice during the growing season with a tree and shrub fertilizer, once in the early spring as the new growth starts, and again in the early summer.
Pruning
Heavenly bamboo does not need pruning for aesthetic purposes but it's needed to contain its aggressive growth. The shrub grows suckers from its base with should be removed regularly. If you have planted a variety that produces berries, make sure to remove all the spent flowers before they can set fruit and dispose of them in the trash.
Potting and Repotting Heavenly Bamboo
Especially the compact varieties of heavenly bamboo are suitable to be grown in containers, as this contains the root growth. Choose a container with large drainage holes that accommodates the root ball plus 3 to 5 inches to allow for future growth. Fill it with a combination of well-draining potting mix and compost and keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in the landscape.
The shrub will need repotting to a larger pot when the roots gave reaches the sides, about every two to three years.
Pests and Problems
The plant is often infected with o. Other potential fungal infections are phytophthora and leaf blotches, which can also be a sign of a bacterial infection. Bacterial leaf scorch and plant viruses such as mosaic virus can also occur.
Pests that attack heavenly bamboo include scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies.
How to Propagate Heavenly Bamboo
Before you propagate your heavenly bamboo, make sure the variety you have is not protected by a plant patent. You can propagate heavenly bamboo either from softwood cuttings (new, green growth) in the spring or semi-hardwood cuttings (stems that are partially green and partially woody) in the summer or early fall.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Fill a small pot with damp potting soil and make a hole in the soil with a pencil. Insert the cut end about 1 inch into the soil. Place the pot in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist. Covering the pot with a clear dome or perforated clear plastic keeps the humidity level high, which helps root formation.
Types of Heavenly Bamboo
'Nana'
Nandina domestica 'Pygmaea', also known as 'Nana', is noted for its dense, mounding foliage and small size of 2 to 4 feet in height. It doesn't produce much fruit.
'Fire Power'
Nandina domestica 'Fire Power' is also a variety that produce little or no fruit. The fine-textured leaves on the 2-foot-tall mounded shrubs turn deep red in winter.
'Firestorm'
New foliage on this compact variety starts out lime green and ages to a light or medium green. In cold weather, the leaves turn burgundy or red. It has a mature height of 5 feet and produces little to no fruit.
'Gulf Stream'
The leaves of this Nandina cultivar are ever-changing, they start out as scarlet red, then they turn blue-green in the summer, and again become intensely red in the fall. This is a compact shrub that only reaches 3 feet in height. Its berry production is minimal to non-existent.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can I replace heavenly bamboo with?
- Is heavenly bamboo evergreen?