Harbour Dwarf Nandina Nandina domestica 'Harbour Dwarf'
- Phonetic Spelling
- nan-DEE-nuh doh-MESS-tik-a
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Harbour Dwarf' is a cultivar of Nandina domestica, or Heavenly Bamboo, a drought tolerant evergreen shrub, which may develop suckers, reseeds itself readily and occasionally naturalizes. In rare instances it has established dense stands in forest habitats. 'Harbour Dwarf' is a dwarf form of N. domestica 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 parent plant, typically forming a dense foliage mound that branches to the ground. Fruits are less abundant than with most N. domestica species. In areas where it is evergreen, the leaves will maintain their red color throughout the winter.
Once established, 'Harbour Dwarf' is moderately drought tolerant. The plant can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit appear on new growth.
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.
'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. The plant is considered invasive in some areas. Check local laws and recommendations before adding this plant to your landscape.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Lush Foundation Planting
- 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
- Seed
- 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: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 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
- Mounding
- 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:
- 12 inches-3 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 Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round, fleshy, red fruit, less than a 1/2 inch.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White with yellow anthers that grow on erect terminal panicles.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Tripinnately compound, leaves emerge in spring and turn reddish in the winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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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