Gardening Q&A: Tread carefully with Nandina species

Jan 16, 2024

Ask Ken …

Q. When and how do you prune Nandina in the South? — J. Miller, Virginia Beach

A. Nandina domestica, while known as heavenly bamboo, is a member of the Berberidaceae, and not a grass. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 and typically produces flowers in late-spring to summer, followed by green berries, turning red for fall. The best time to prune is late-winter to early-spring.

As you may have discovered, species Nandina is very aggressive, and requires annual pruning to keep under control. If not pruned properly, the plant will be tall and scraggly. Prune in three simple steps. 1. Prune a third of the oldest stems, randomly spaced, completely to the ground. 2. Prune another third, again randomly spaced, halfway to the ground. 3. Lastly, leave the remaining third, unpruned. This method will help ensure a layered, rather than scraggly look. It will also stagger the berry production.

But here are a couple of very important caveats to remember. The berries of Nandina contain cyanide and other alkaloids that can be deadly poisonous to animals — particularly birds. The National Audubon Society cautions that you should you grow Nandina, be diligent in keeping the berries removed. And secondly, it is considered an invasive species by the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council. It has naturalized in, and threatens many natural habitats. Thus, it is not recommended as a landscape plant. However, there are a few cultivars, some dwarf, that are fruitless. It is best you look into these, if you desire Nandina in your landscape.

Q. I want to transplant daffodils from one area of my yard to another. What is the best time as far as the blooming cycle and what is the best method? — G. Wilson, Norfolk

A. You will want to let them finish flowering and then wait another month or so until the foliage turns brown and dies down. That particular length of time may vary a bit. Cut the foliage down and carefully dig. Don't jump the gun on this — the bulbs need a chance to replenish and rejuvenate themselves before you lift them. Divide as needed (depends on how long since you’ve last done this), knock the soil off the the roots, spread out on newspaper or similar whey they can dry a bit. Once dry, store cool and dry in something similar to what you would buy onions in at the grocery. Replant in mid-fall, a few weeks before frost.

And one more thing (or two) …

Mark your calendar for the Fred Heutte Center's 38th annual Herb Sale and Festival next weekend, April 27-28. Hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For all the woofing and tweeting I did last week about springtime and the weather, it seems the weather gods decided to call me out. Going against the averages, the last couple weeks have given us well-above expected mean temperatures. Flowering trees and shrubs in my area have gone zero to 60, or tight buds to opening blooms, in that short period of time.

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