Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nan-DEE-nuh doh-MESS-tik-a
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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'Gulf Stream' is a cultivar of Nandina domestica, or Heavenly Bamboo, a drought tolerant evergreen shrub in the Berberidaceae (barberry) family, which may develop suckers, reseeds itself readily and occasionally naturalizes. 'Gulf Stream' is a dense and bushy dwarf, maturing at about 3 feet high with a similar spread with an attractive compact habit and bright colorful leaves. It is almost fruitless, reducing, but not eliminating, the level of poisonous fruit.
'Gulf Stream', like its parent, is drought tolerant and may develop suckers. Cold can damage this plant, but it typically does well in southern winters. It is a hardy plant and can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit appear on new growth. This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer.
'Gulf Stream' makes an excellent addition to a walkway planting, a low hedge, courtyard or planted as a specimen or in small groupings in a cottage garden.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:
If your individual plant produces fruits, clip them before they can reseed naturally in the landscape. Foliage may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils. It is considered invasive in North Carolina mountains and southern Piedmont and you should check recommendations before adding this plant to your landscape.
- 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:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Leaves are toxic to livestock and other domestic animals. This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 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
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 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:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Description:
- Blossoms are followed by red berries, much like that of a holly, small and red, which can be toxic to birds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- White inflorescence begin to appear in early May in many areas, and are approximately 4 inches long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow, diamond-shaped leaves are orange-tinted and coppery when young, turn turquoise in summer, then turn orange-red in fall and winter color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- 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, seizures, coma, respiratory failure, and death can occur from ingestion.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cyanogenic glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Stems
