Flirt™ Nandina

Flirt Nandina (Nandina domestica) is a low, spreading dwarf nandina bred from Harbour Dwarf, with the bonus of masses of red new growth. It grows to only 30cm to 40cm high and 40cm to 50cm wide, and it runs the colour calendar backwards: red through spring, summer and autumn while other nandinas are green, and green in winter while they turn red. Bred by Ozbreed, it has been shown in research not to spread from seed, which makes it a safer choice near bushland.

Why you'll love it

• Red new growth for three seasons. Each flush of new leaves opens red and holds that colour through the warm months.
• Stays where it is planted. Research has shown it does not spread from seed, the habit that gives ordinary nandina a bad name beside bushland.
• Low and spreading. At 30cm to 40cm high it works as a groundcover or a very low hedge without any clipping.
• Grows almost anywhere. Full sun to moderate shade, free draining sand to heavy clay, drought and cold.
• A prune every three or four years. And only if you want to.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 45cm apart, four to six plants per square metre, and the plants close into a continuous red and green carpet.

Low hedges and edging. A single row at 35cm to 40cm, two to four plants per linear metre, makes a knee high edge along a path or driveway that never needs shears.

Feature planting. A group of three in a courtyard, a planter or at the foot of a feature tree gives colour where there is no room for flowers.

Growing Flirt Nandina in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to moderate shade, with the strongest red in sun. It is one of the few plants Ozbreed lists for every state and territory, from the tropics and subtropics through warm and cool temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland climates.

Soil. Free draining sand through to heavy clay. It is not fussy.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, with a chunky mulch over the roots, then it is drought tolerant. A slow release fertiliser in spring is optional.

Pruning. If required, prune every three to four years to thicken an older planting. Most gardeners never do.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Flirt Nandina as tube stock, the economical size for a groundcover planting of any scale. Tubes are small on arrival, a stem or two with the red new leaves already showing, but nandina establishes reliably and the plants spread to their 40cm to 50cm width over two to three seasons. Plant them into a mulched bed and keep the water up for the first three months.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Our nandina care guide
• Browse the full nandina range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More groundcover plants

Common questions

Why is it green in winter when my other nandinas are red?

That is the point of it. Flirt colours on its new growth through spring, summer and autumn, then rests green in winter, the opposite of the common forms. Planted together they give colour all year.

Will it spread into the bush?

Research has shown it does not spread from seed, which is why it is the nandina to use beside bushland and waterways.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 45cm apart for a groundcover, or 35cm to 40cm in a single row for a low edge. The plants meet within two to three seasons.