Nandina domestica Fire Power - Sacred Bamboo

The Nandina domestica 'Firepower' is a dwarf variety of sacred bamboo. It is a very compact bush, distinguished by the variations in the colour of its foliage throughout the seasons. The young shoots turn red in spring, ranging from copper to burgundy, before turning to blue-green in the middle of summer. It later sets your garden ablaze by turning purple until the end of winter.

The genus Nandina belongs to the family Berberidaceae. The lanceolate leaves are opposite, and their airy appearance resembles the light foliage of bamboo, which has earned it the common name of sacred bamboo or wonderful bamboo. The flowering consists of small white flowers arranged in long panicles that appear in May-June. As for the fruits, they are small spherical and shiny berries that are highly decorative, but be careful as they are toxic.

It reaches a height and width of 60cm (23.6in), making it a good ground cover. It can be used for borders and its naturally spherical shape allows it to blend nicely into a topiary garden, adding a touch of warm colour. Because of its small size, it can also be used alone in the structure of small gardens, in pots or in the ground.

The Nandina domestica 'Firepower' prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil and can be planted in partial shade or full sun. In the latter case, you will need to water it regularly as a sunny location combined with intense drought would quickly take its toll. It is sensitive to severe cold and drying winds. Consider planting it in a sheltered spot, preferably in spring. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F).