The Essential Guide To The Nandina

Botanical Name: Nandina domestica

Common Name: Nandina

General Knowledge: Nandina, commonly known as 'Heavenly Bamboo', is native to eastern Asia, from the Himalayas to Japan. In Australian gardens, Nandina is used for its ornamental value, providing year-round interest with its delicate white flowers, bright red berries, and foliage that changes colour with the seasons. A fun fact about Nandina is that despite its common name and bamboo-like appearance, it's not a bamboo at all but rather a member of the Berberidaceae family, with its own unique set of characteristics distinct from the true bamboos.

Colour Range: Nandina exhibits a range of colours, primarily green, transitioning to autumn toning of orange, red, burgundy, and yellow as the season progresses.

Australian Seasonal Availability: Available from autumn to winter.

Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: Ideal for events and weddings held in the cooler months of the year in Australia, providing vibrant autumnal tones.

Commercially Grown in Australia: Yes, Nandina is commercially grown in Australia.

Buying Tips: Select branches with strong autumn colours and avoid any with dry or damaged leaves. For green foliage available in summer, ensure that the tips are hardened off to prevent wilting.

Design Tips and Advice: Nandina is a versatile foliage, suitable for floral foam arrangements, vases, and bunching. Stems can be used whole or stripped for individual leaves. Autumn-coloured leaves can be wired individually or in groups for a colour accent in bouquets, providing soft effects in arrangements.