2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Nandina (lat. Nandina) - decorative and deciduous flowering plant from the Barberry family.
Description
Nandina is a relatively compact evergreen tree, the height of which can reach five to six meters. Sometimes such trees can grow bushy, and they are characterized by a very shallow root system. Each tree boasts a luxurious openwork cylindrical crown and little branching erect lateral shoots. All shoots are covered with a fairly strong longitudinal-grooved bark, which is initially colored in light brownish-purple shades, and then in grayish-brownish tones.
Nandina leaves are usually clustered in the upper parts of the branches, and their length is often within thirty to forty centimeters. All leaves are triple pinnate, compound and triangular in shape with wedge-shaped bases and pointed tips. In addition, they are always shiny and quite dense. With the onset of autumn, the once dark green leaves acquire a red or red-brown color, and in this form they remain until spring.
Nandina inflorescences fold into incredibly pretty apical panicles, the length of which varies from twenty to forty centimeters. The diameter of the flowers can reach six millimeters, while each flower is equipped with three spirally arranged sepals of a yellowish-whitish color, and these sepals gradually turn into beautiful white petals.
Nandina berries are usually painted in a rich bright red color, however, sometimes white berries are also found. All of them are equipped with slightly pointed tips and reach eight millimeters in diameter.
Nandina blooms usually in June-July, and fruiting in September-October.
Where grows
In nature, nandina can be found mainly in Japan and China. This plant has been naturalized quite well in the vastness of North America. It grows mainly on the mountain slopes.
Usage
Nandina is very widely used as an ornamental plant - they especially like to grow it for this purpose in the Caucasus, Crimea and in a number of subtropical regions of Russia. It is equally well suited for planting as a tub culture, and for planting on the edges, as well as in single or group plantings. In addition, nandina feels great in winter gardens and greenhouses.
Growing and caring
Nandina will grow best in a mixture of sod and leafy soil in combination with sand (in this case, the proportion should look like 4: 2: 1). Universal ready-made mixtures are also quite suitable for its cultivation. Ideally, this plant should be placed in fairly cool southern rooms.
Despite its light-loving nature, in the summer season, nandina needs shading from the direct rays of the heavenly body. And during the rest period, it is extremely important to try to provide this unusual beauty with a temperature in the range of seven to thirteen degrees.
Watering nandina most of the year should be moderate (this applies to both volumes and frequency), and even less often in winter. This plant does not need spraying at all.
During the active growing season, nandina must be fed with combined fertilizers - as a rule, this is done once or twice a month, not more often. Also, from time to time, pruning should be carried out in order to form the crown.
Nandina can be propagated both by root suckers or by sowing seeds, and by grafting or cuttings. It is important to take into account that it will grow slowly in all cases.
