Nandina domestica Curly Obsessed - Sacred Bamboo

Nandina domestica ‘Curly Obsessed' is ornamental in more ways than one. Not only does its very compact habit mean it can be planted both in the ground and in containers, but its divided foliage features highly original curved leaflets. Evergreen and thus decorative all year round, it also has the advantage of changing colour with the seasons. In spring, the young purple shoots stand out well against the mature dark green vegetation. As autumn arrives, the foliage evolves into a harmony of red, yellow, and orange. The architectural and colourful silhouette of this variety of Sacred Bamboo fits perfectly in a contemporary or Japanese-style border, and makes a beautiful pot arrangement to adorn a balcony. Easy to grow in a sheltered position away from full sun, it proves to be quite hardy and requires little maintenance.

Nandina is a member of the small Berberidaceae family, best known for the Berberis genus, the Barberry, which hosts nearly two-thirds of all species in this botanical family, but which includes a few other ornamental genera, such as Mahonia, or the rare Podophyllums with their strange foliage. The only known species of the Nandina domestica genus, or Sacred Bamboo, is native to China and Japan, where it is commonly called nanten, which through alteration gave the scientific name Nandina. The typical species forms a shrub with stiff stems, 1.20 to 2 m tall, about the thickness of a finger, resembling bamboo shoots, although these plants are not related. The epithet "sacred" comes from the fact that Nandina is traditionally planted around temples in Asia.
From this unique species, breeders have managed to create several horticultural varieties, each more ornamental than the last. This is the case with 'Curly Obsessed', a surprising cultivar with curly foliage, whose lanceolate leaflets tend to curl curiously, adding a touch of lightness to the very architectural vegetation. This Nandina is appealingly compact, reaching 60 cm in height and only 50 cm in width, which allows it to be easily kept in a pot. The exuberant foliage adds volume to the bush, giving it a dense and airy silhouette all year round, as it is evergreen. In spring, new purple shoots unfurl to elegantly contrast with the mature dark green vegetation, then they turn green. Autumn is a second highlight for this variety, which takes on superb yellow, orange, and red tones. In sufficiently warm climates, clusters of creamy, white flowers, about fifteen centimetres long, bloom in July and August. They then develop into small, spherical, shiny red fruits that are very decorative.

Nandina domestica ‘Curly Obsessed' is a gem for small gardens where it will quickly find a place in a mixed border, combining perennials and shrubs, in a partially shaded location. Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) with its lighter green foliage and extremely architectural habit, accentuated by the original flowering of small, evenly spaced white bells, will pair well with your Sacred Bamboo. Sarcococcas with their delightful, sweet winter flowering will also be good companions for partial shade, as will the slightly taller Camellias, which you can place in the second row and which will offer you their sculpturally beautiful flowers. To complete your scene, plant the magnificent Acer conspicuum 'Red Flamingo' in the background. One doesn't know what to admire more: the green leaves splashed with shrimp pink and creamy white, borne on coral red petioles, or the snakeskin bark, clearly visible in winter when the foliage has fallen to the ground.