Nandina domestica 'Harbour Dwarf'

'Harbour Dwarf' is a cultivar of heavenly bamboo, a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub and a member of the barberry family (Berberidaceae). The cultivar name, bestowed in 1956, commemorates Mr. C.L. Harbour, who first discovered the cultivar.

Once established, 'Harbour Dwarf' is moderately drought tolerant. The plant can be pruned to shape. This shrub prefers sun or partial shade and neutral-to-acid soil.

'Harbour Dwarf' is a dwarf cultivar of heavenly bamboo that typically grows to only 2 feet tall, but can spread by rhizomes to 3 to 4 feet wide. The leaves are smaller, narrower and closer together than on the wild-type species, typically forming a dense foliage mound that branches to the ground. In areas where it is evergreen, the leaves will maintain their red color throughout the winter.

Fruits are produced less abundantly than the wild-type species. While the fruit of 'Harbour Dwarf' is less abundant, the leaves and berries may still 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. Consider planting non-fruiting cultivars such as ‘Gulf Stream’.

'Harbour Dwarf' can be a colorful border plant with coppery tints in spring, maturing to green in summer, and turning either reddish-orange or reddish-purple in winter. 

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils.

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