Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’

Nandina 'Gulf Stream' (Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream') is the dwarf sacred bamboo most landscapers reach for, and with reason: it is the most reliable of the group for dense growth and strong red winter colour. It settles at about 900mm tall and 800mm wide, big enough for a low informal hedge but small enough that it never needs controlling. It sets no fruit, so there is no berry drop.

Why you'll love it

• The most consistent colour of the dwarf nandinas. Blue green through summer, turning deep red across the whole plant as the cold arrives.
• Dense to the base. It fills out from the ground rather than going leggy, which is why it works as a low hedge and not just a border.
• Non fruiting. No berries to drop on paving and nothing to seed into neighbouring bushland.
• Predictable and low maintenance. At 900mm by 800mm it holds its proportions without shearing, and it is frost hardy, heat tolerant and rarely bothered by pests.

Where it works best

Low hedging. Plant 60cm apart for a low informal hedge. At that spacing the plants meet within two seasons and read as a continuous soft edged wall at knee to thigh height.

Mass planting and borders. In a large bed, a staggered grid at 60cm spacing covers ground quickly. Along a driveway it makes a border with more presence than the smaller nandinas.

Pots and small gardens. A 400mm pot suits a single plant, and a run of matched pots along a courtyard wall gives structure without blocking the view.

Growing Nandina 'Gulf Stream' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the deepest red and densest habit, though it tolerates part shade with softer colour. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens. Cold drives the winter colour, so southern and inland gardens get the better display.

Soil. Any soil that drains, including poor and rocky ground. Improving the bed with compost is worthwhile for a hedge, since even establishment keeps the line level. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the canes.

Water and feed. Twice weekly deep watering through the first summer, then moderate water with extra during dry spells. One application of slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Do not shear it like a box hedge. Take the oldest canes out at ground level every second winter and the plant renews itself, staying dense to the base and keeping its informal outline.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tubestock, in 140mm pots by the pack of ten, in 200mm pots by the pack of six and in 250mm pots by the pack of three. For a long hedge line, tubes or 140mm packs are the sensible economics and take about two seasons to close. For a short run, the 200mm and 250mm plants arrive multi caned and at working size.

Some leaf drop and bronzing after transit is normal, and growth is steady at roughly 150mm to 250mm a year. Plant the whole run at once so the hedge establishes evenly. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order of $300 before delivery, with our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to creating and maintaining a hedge.
• Compare the best hedging plants at every height.
• Browse low maintenance plants for the rest of the bed.
• See other frost hardy plants for cold gardens.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

60cm apart in a single row. The plants meet within two seasons, and planting tighter does not close the line any faster.

Can I clip it into a formal hedge?

You can, but it is the wrong plant for the job. Shearing cuts the canes at random heights and leaves stubs. Renew it by removing old canes at the base instead.

Is nandina toxic to dogs and cats?

Yes. The foliage is toxic to pets, and that holds for non fruiting forms as well. If you have an animal that chews plants, choose from our range of plants safe for pets instead.