Nandina in the Texas Landscape Design

Nandina (Nandina domestica), commonly known as heavenly bamboo, is a popular ornamental shrub in Texas landscapes, appreciated for its vibrant foliage and adaptability. However, certain varieties are considered invasive and can pose ecological risks.

Contrasting Red/Orange Nandina with Purple Nandina. Taken in April.

Contrasting Red/Orange Nandina with Purple, Flirt, Nandina. Taken in April.

Dallas Landscaping and Gardens - Lee Ann Torrans

Nandina is the tall shrub above with the white conical spring blooms pictured with The Fairy Miniature Rose. Well pruned, watered and fed Nandina’s can be beautiful.

Nandina_Tree_Dallas_Texas_Lee_Ann_Torrans

Heavenly Bamboo

Heavenly Bamboo is classified as an evergreen shrub and in Texas it works precisely as such providing color, texture and often berries all year round.In the fall, the foliage color turns to pink and red, ending the year with bright red leaves and berries.

Heavenly Bamboo comes in a dwarf size, as well.

The berries will remain and in Texas with so many alternatives for the birds you may well retain your luscious berries.

Heavenly Bamboo will slowly grow to 8 feet if it is left alone, but it can be kept at a very compact size by pruning. Just do NOT SHEAR A NANDINA.

The more sun a nandina receives the brighter the fall colors will be. That being said nandinas appreciate a bit of shade and will certainly flourish in shade!

Types of Nandina for Texas Gardens

Texas gardeners have a variety of nandina cultivars to choose from, each offering unique characteristics:

‘Gulf Stream’: Compact (3–4 ft tall), with blue-green foliage that turns red in fall.
‘Firepower’: Dwarf variety (2–3 ft), known for its brilliant red winter foliage.
‘Obsession’: Features deep red new growth and maintains a compact form.
‘Lemon Lime’: Offers bright chartreuse foliage, adding a pop of color to gardens.
‘Blush Pink’: Displays pinkish-red new growth throughout the growing season

These cultivars are favored for their controlled growth habits and reduced invasiveness compared to the species type.

Awards and Recognitions

The ‘Lemon Lime’ nandina has received the FlameProof Award from the Southern Living Plant Collection, highlighting its exceptional heat tolerance and performance in southern climates.

It is incredibly drought tolerant, if it has to be. So easy, easy, easy to root. Break of a stem, a few inches down into the woody area in the early spring. Keep the area moist and voila! A new nandina — which explains why these are planted around my A/C unit!

You prune a nandina by cutting out canes NOT SHEARING IT. Cut out about a third of the canes in February if you believe it is spreading too wide. DO NOT SHEAR A NANDINA OR A BARBERRY.

Guilty! For years and years I overlooked the nandina. It was such an ordinary, old fashioned shrub. Then the dwarfs came on the scene, berryless and I still over looked it. It was the plain cousin and overplanted commercially. The last thing I wanted to see was another nandina, especially Harbor Dwarf which was rapidly appearing at every commercial corner planting.

Below is a Japanese Maple planted in front of Nandinas. This is one of the most charming homes in Dallas and one of the most beautiful Japanese Maples that I have seen in Dallas. I love the simplicity of this planting. The ONLY thing I would add would be six or seven Flirt purple Nandinas toward the front. More is not always better even in the garden. Some times it is just more.

Looks like this homeowner is working on a nandina hedge!

Harbour Dwarf Nandina

‘Harbour Dwarf’ generally grows 18 inches tall for many years before eventually reaching a height of 32 inches. It is generally twice as wide as it is tall. It’s okay, and spreads but when faced competition from the loropetalum it seems like the lackluster sister, the plain-jane cousin, and just so, “why bother.”

If I had a small yard I would not give up valuable space for Harbour Dwarf. With an acre or more, I would certainly consider this shrub and plant for expansion.

‘Harbour Dwarf’ Nandina (Nandina domestica ‘Harbour Dwarf’) is a compact, low-growing cultivar of heavenly bamboo, commonly used in Texas landscapes as a groundcover or low border shrub. It typically grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, forming a dense, mounded shape with fine-textured, evergreen foliage that turns shades of bronze, red, or purplish in cooler weather.

Key Features of ‘Harbour Dwarf’:

Height/Width: ~2–3 ft tall and wide
Foliage: Green in spring/summer; bronze-red to purple in fall/winter
Flowers/Berries: Produces few flowers and sparse berries compared to older types; less invasive, but not fully sterile
Sun/Soil: Tolerates full sun to partial shade; prefers well-drained soil
Growth Habit: Spreading and dense; good for erosion control or filling in bare spots

Dwarf Purple Nandina: Obsession

This is a wonderful shrub for Texas. When Flirt came on the scene Nandinas were back on my radar.

The color, height, hardiness and spreading propensity makes this a perfect shrub for borders and for those driveway islands of modern Texas homes. You know, the 25 to 30 feet islands between the obligatory circular drive, the street and the front door! PERFECTION ~ at last!

‘Obsession’ Nandina (Nandina domestica ‘Seika’)

Size: 2.5 to 3 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide
Foliage: Bright red new growth holds color longer than other varieties; deep green mature leaves
Berries: Sterile, so no environmental concerns
Awards: Also part of the Southern Living Plant Collection
Best For: Bold color contrast in mixed beds or as a foundation plant

Dallas Landscaping and Gardening Lee Ann Torrans

As the summer heat intensifies Flirt will lose some its purple colors turning a more brilliant red.

Consider Nandinas for your garden whether you have a hedge in mind, a border planting or just a specimen focus.

‘Flirt’ Nandina (Nandina domestica ‘Murasaki’) is a compact, ornamental shrub ideal for Texas landscapes due to its heat tolerance, colorful foliage, and non-invasive nature. Unlike older nandina varieties that can spread aggressively or produce toxic berries, ‘Flirt’ is a sterile cultivar, meaning it does not produce berries, making it safer for birds and surrounding native plants.

This variety is prized for its rich burgundy-red new growth, which holds its color well into summer, before transitioning into deep green mature leaves. In fall and winter, the foliage often returns to a reddish hue, adding seasonal interest. It remains low-growing, typically reaching 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for borders, mass plantings, or small garden beds.

Awards & Recognition

‘Flirt’ Nandina is part of the Southern Living Plant Collection and was awarded the FlameProof™ designation — a recognition given to plants that thrive in intense Southern heat and require minimal care. It performs especially well in Texas, including North and Central regions, where drought tolerance and sun exposure are key considerations in landscape planning.

Nandina Cousin to the Mahonia!

Nandina, cousin to the Mahonia pictured below and the large beautiful Mahonia berries below are cousins to the Nandina Berries. You can see the resemblance in the berries and the stem structure.

The Obsession Nandina is sport of Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’.

I consider the plantings below the most boring plantings in the world. I would rather see plain dirt. At least there would be the hope of something creative.

Firepower Nandina

The Firepower Nandinas will become brighter in the fall – the barberry will probably wither and die. Just such a sad planting. This is why I turned my back on Nandinas for such a long, long time. This is considered a ‘classic combination.’ Maybe they will go the way of the wax leaf ligustrum and the privet hedge. I hope so!

‘Firepower’ Nandina

Size: 2–3 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide
Foliage: Lime green in summer, turning brilliant red in fall and winter
Berries: Rarely berries, but not always fully sterile
Awards: Widely used, but not in Southern Living’s FlameProof series
Best For: Winter color and easy maintenance in mild Texas winters

1. Are all nandinas invasive in Texas?

No — while the species type (Nandina domestica) can be invasive and spread by berries, many modern cultivars like ‘Flirt’, ‘Obsession’, ‘Lemon Lime’, and ‘Blush Pink’ are sterile and do not produce berries. These are safe, non-invasive options suitable for Texas landscapes.

2. Which nandina varieties grow best in Texas?

Compact, heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Flirt’, ‘Firepower’, ‘Gulf Stream’, and ‘Harbour Dwarf’ perform well across Central and North Texas. These cultivars tolerate full sun, drought, and heavy clay soils, making them reliable for both home and commercial landscapes.

3. Are nandinas safe for pets and birds?

Traditional nandinas can produce red berries that are toxic to birds and pets if eaten in large amounts. However, newer berry-free cultivars eliminate this risk. Always check the label or ask your nursery if the variety is sterile or fruit-producing.

4. How should I care for nandinas in Texas?

Plant nandinas in well-drained soil with full sun to part shade. Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and remove leggy growth. Fertilizer is rarely needed. Dwarf types require minimal maintenance once settled.

5. Can nandinas handle Texas summers and drought?

Yes — nandinas are highly heat- and drought-tolerant, especially after the first growing season. Cultivars like ‘Lemon Lime’, ‘Obsession’, and ‘Gulf Stream’ have even been recognized with awards like FlameProof™ for thriving in extreme Southern heat, making them excellent choices for tough Texas conditions.

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Mahonia surrounding garden cherub at Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. Mahonia is a cousin to Nandina and often planted with Fatsia.

Variety	Size (H x W)	Foliage Color	Berries	Best Feature
Flirt	1–2 ft x 1–2 ft	Burgundy → Green → Red	No	Low-growing, very heat-tolerant
Obsession	2.5–3 ft x 2–3 ft	Bright red → Green	No	Long-lasting color contrast
Firepower	2–3 ft x 2–3 ft	Green → Red (Fall/Winter)	Rare	Bold winter foliage color