Nandina domestica 'Alba'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nan-DEE-nuh doh-MESS-tik-a AL-ba
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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'Alba' is a cultivar of heavenly bamboo, a drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). The cultivar name is Latin for “white” and describes the color of the fruits. The principal difference between this cultivar and others is the color of the fruit, which is white rather than bright orange-red.
The plant can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth.
Like all heavenly bamboo, ‘Alba’ may develop suckers and form colonies of upright stem. 'Alba' is slightly larger than the wild-type heavenly bamboo and is noted for large clusters of cream-colored berries. 'Alba' has winter foliage that is bright gold and lacks the red winter color typically seen in other heavenly bamboo cultivars.
The berries do better with some afternoon shade to prevent burning. The leaves and berries may be toxic to humans, livestock, horses, cats, dogs, and birds such as Cedar Waxwings, which can ingest too many berries in one feeding session. All parts contain cyanide and when consumed in quantity can be toxic.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nandina
- Species:
- domestica
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Leaves and berries are toxic to livestock and other domestic animals, this plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer. Berries contain cyanide and when consumed in quantity can be toxic to birds.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Cream-white to creamy yellow berries that can persist into the winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- White flowers in spring that grow on erect terminal panicles between 10-12 inches long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Green foliage lacks red tinge of other nandinas. Winter foliage is a bright yellow-green.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pond
- Pool/Hardscape
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Hydrogen cyanide is highly poisonous if ingested in quantity. All parts are toxic to humans, cats, dogs, livestock, horses, and birds such as the Cedar Waxwing. Weakness, incoordination, seizures, coma, respiratory failure, and death can occur from ingestion.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cyanogenic glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Stems
