Spring and Fall Beauty The Obsession Nandina shrub is an exotic-looking plant that resembles bamboo. It’s an easy-to-grow compact shrub that is prized for its foliage displays in spring and fall. This deciduous shrub (some varieties are evergreen) is also known as Heavenly Bamboo but it’s not related to bamboo. The shrub is a relative of Berberis and is ideal for growing in containers or in-ground. The Nandina Obsession plant develops new leaves in the early spring that emerge as a fiery red color and slowly turn green as the air temperature warms. During the summer the shrub will produce clusters of white flowers that contain pollen for the pollinators. The fall foliage color is what makes this shrub variety stand out from the other landscape shrubs. Obsession nandina leaves will turn from variegated green to red, yellow, and bronze and will remain on the shrub for weeks. If the nandina is an evergreen the colorful leaves will remain on it all winter. If it’s a deciduous variety, the leaves will drop after the first fall frost. Some varieties of nandina will develop clusters of red berries in the late fall that will remain on the shrub throughout the winter. However, the nandina berries are extremely poisonous and most animals will leave the berries alone. Plant and grow nandinas for their colorful foliage, not as a plant that will feed wildlife. Some people even prune the berries off of the shrub to prevent pets and wildlife from eating them. Landscaping Obsession Nandina Plant Obsession Nandina as a hedge around the vegetable or flower garden perimeter to discourage deer from eating your plants. Obsession can be grown as a single specimen shrub but is commonly used as a low-growing hedge or planted en-masse to increase the colorful impact of fall color in the landscape. Obsession Nandina Size The shrub has a compact growing habit and will thrive when planted in a container. The mature size of the shrub is 3-4 feet tall and equally as wide. Obsession nandina will grow in full sun or partial shade and makes an ideal container plant for a covered porch or patio. Obsession Nandina Care Nandinas are hardy in USDA growing zones 6-10. The shrub will survive in colder climates when planted in-ground or grown in containers if it’s provided with shelter from freezing temperatures and strong winds. Use a foundation planting or move the container to a sheltered location next to the house during the winter. Obsession nandina is not picky about soil conditions but will grow best in well-draining soil. Only water the shrub during times of prolonged drought. These shrubs are drought-tolerant and thrive in the summer heat in climates that have little rainfall. Apply a balanced plant food around the base of the shrub in early spring. Nandinas are slow-growing shrubs and only need to be pruned to keep them tidy. If an older nandina begins to look unsightly or the blooms and berries are sparse, the entire shrub can be pruned back to the ground in early spring. This will rejuvenate the shrub and it will re-grow into a compact and productive shrub. Shop the Obsession Nandina for sale today!
