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Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’
compact heavenly bamboo
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Image © Richie Steffen/Great Plant Picks |
Printer-friendly Fact Sheet
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| Outstanding Qualities |
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Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ is one of the best compact shrubs for year-round foliage interest. It features a variety of leaf colors on a fairly dense, evergreen plant. New growth is bronze with orange tints. Older leaves range from blue-green to gold and red. GPP member Richie Steffen recommends it for its great red- and orange-toned winter color. ‘Gulf Stream’ is a tough plant, tolerant of urban conditions. Unlike other heavenly bamboos, it is bushy and compact, reaching only 2½ to 3 feet high. It makes a fine informal hedge or can be used as a foundation planting. It can also be used in containers or in the mixed border. Complement the dissected leaves of heavenly bamboo with large-leafed evergreen shrubs such as David’s viburnum or rhododendrons. The barks of paperbark maple and Chinese red birch pick up the tones of ‘Gulf Stream’ and make it shine. |
| Culture |
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Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ looks best in part or full sun. It grows well in shade, but the leaf color will be muted and mostly green. It is drought tolerant once established but looks better with occasional summer watering. It seldom flowers in our climate. In shady conditions with poor air circulation, it is prone to powdery mildew. Otherwise, it has few problems. |
| Growing Habit |
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Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ is a compact, evergreen shrub of moderate growth. It reaches 2½ to 3 feet high in time with an equal spread. |
| Hardiness |
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USDA zones 6 to 9 |
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© 2009 Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden
Funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation
Administered by the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden