Heavenly Bamboo

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 10° F (-12° C)

Heat Tolerance: Resist to full sun in Phoenix

Sun Exposure: Sun to shade, light shade is best in Arizona

Origin: China, Japan

Growth Habits: Evergreen shrub, growing slowly to 4 to 8 feet tall (1.2-2.4 m), 2 to 4 feet wide (0.6-1.2 m); alternate, bi or tri-pinnate compound leaves, turning orange or red in the fall, elliptic to lanceolate leaflets

Flowers: White flowers

Watering Needs: Does better with regular water, tolerates some drought, prefer a slightly alkaline soil

Propagation: Cuttings in summer, or layering. Seeds might take a very long time to germinate.

Heavely Bamboo blossom in mid May in Phoenix

The Heavenly Bamboo is considered an invasive weed in several states.
The form 'Nana' is a low, mounding plant, 12 to 18 inches tall (30-45 cm).

Blooming Habits:
Large panicle of small white flowers in late spring. Berries in early fall, 0.25 inch in diameter (6 mm), bright red at first, then turning black and persisting through winter.

Culture:
Fertilize in spring. Cut old canes to the ground. The Nandinas tend to become chlorotic in alkaline soils and need regular treatment with iron chelate.