Heavenly Bamboo Obsessed

Despite appearances, Nandina domestica Obsessed is not a bamboo, but a member of the Berberis family. Grown for its colourful spring and autumn foliage, Heavenly Bamboo is a small, evergreen shrub with a graceful, upright habit and slender stems. Bamboo-like leaves emerge brilliant red, turning green in summer and a lovely deep red in autumn, the colour persisting into winter. In summer, conical clusters of small white flowers appear, often followed by waxy red berries. These are attractive to birds, but unfortunately are sometimes poisonous to them. It is a compact cultivar of the species grown at the doorways of Japanese houses to provide toothpicks (and dispel bad dreams!) Ideal for growing in a pot in a sheltered patio, it can also be grown in a border.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any moist but well drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year, especially spring and autumn
Hardiness: Fairly hardy
Height: 2’4”’ (70cm) Spread: 2’ (60cm)