{"id":8714,"date":"2025-12-06T22:30:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T22:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandonspaldingstaging.com\/DirtDr\/library\/nandina-has-become-an-invasive-species-newsletter\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T22:30:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T22:30:21","slug":"nandina-has-become-an-invasive-species-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"library","link":"https:\/\/sandonspaldingstaging.com\/DirtDr\/library\/nandina-has-become-an-invasive-species-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Nandina Has Become an Invasive Species Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Nandina Has Become An Invasive Species Newsletter<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Subscribe<\/strong><\/a> \"Newsletter<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n

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Nandina Has Become An Invasive Species<\/h1>\n

Have to admit that I’ve designed many nandinas into projects and have some in my own gardens. I primarily used the dwarf version but it has the berries just like the regular form. We now need to admit that this plant has become a seriously invasive species and we need to reduce or eliminate it’s use. Here’s some good basic information about the problem:<\/p>\n

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Nandina<\/b> Nandina domestica <\/i>Thunb<\/p>\n

COMMON NAMES<\/b>: Nandina, sacred bamboo, heavenly bamboo<\/p>\n

NATIVE ORIGIN<\/b>: China, Japan, India; introduced to the United States and widely planted as an ornamental; now escaping and spreading from original plantings<\/p>\n

DESCRIPTION<\/b>: Evergreen erect shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) that grows to a height of 6-10 feet and width of 3 to 5 feet (Other cultivars including dwarf nandina are shorter in height). The plant has multiple bushy cane-like stems that resemble bamboo. The alternate leaves are bi-pinnately compound dividing into many 1 to 2-inch, pointed, oval leaflets. Young foliage is often pinkish, and then turns to soft light green. The foliage can be tinged red in winter. Early summer terminal clusters of tiny white-to-pink flowers. Each flower is \u00bc to \u00bd inch across, appearing in loose, erect, 6 to 12 inch clusters at the end of the branches. If plants are grouped, shiny red spherical berries, 1 \/3 inch in diameter, follow the flowers in fall and winter. Single plants seldom fruit heavily. It spreads both vegetatively through underground sprouts from roots and by seeds.<\/p>\n

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HABITAT<\/b>: It grows in full sun to shade and prefers reasonably rich soil but does not thrive in sand. It occurs under forest canopies and near forest edges. Distribution: This species is reported from states shaded on Plants Database map. The second map shows potential areas for spread. Arkansas is an epicenter for nandina in forests. It has escaped intended plantings and found along roadsides and vacant lots in Kentucky and Ohio. It is reported to be invasive by the National Park Service in FL, GA, NC, and TN.<\/p>\n

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ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS<\/b>: Nandina has naturalized and invaded habitats. It colonizes by spreading underground root sprouts and by animal-dispersed seeds. It can persist as a seedling for several years before maturing. It can displace native species and disrupt plant communities. Here is a link to the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine<\/a> report regarding Nandina toxicity in cedar waxwings.<\/p>\n

TOXICITY<\/b>: Berries can be toxic to birds, cats, and some grazing animals. <\/p>\n

CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT<\/b><\/p>\n