Nandina not thriving?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We live outside Philadelphia, PA and had two Nandina planted in the fall, about 1.5 square feet each at planting. They did beautifully through the winter, and then lost many leaves with some very cold weather. They started to grow in the spring, but now they seem to be stunted with many very small leaves towards the bottom, and aren't bushy as they used to be. Some deer munched on them a bit one night but it doesn’t appear that they really like them. A few of the leaves have some yellow/brown discoloration. I fertilized them with a small amount of all purpose fruit and vegetable fertilizer about a month ago and have been watering them once to twice a week in between rain. They are located in a spot with poorly draining soil-it seems to be more clay to me but there are plenty of earthworms and the like in there. They are mulched about an inch with the mulch pulled away from the base some. How can I get them to grow more? Should I try digging them up some in a mound above the damp soil so they drain better? Or is there nothing wrong? Thanks

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Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
They are located in a spot with poorly draining soil-it seems to be more clay

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though backlit by sun.. which makes it hard to see .. but it looks rather ok to me ...

that one branch looks like some kid stripped it ...

if your soil drains poorly.. i cant imagine it needs watering twice a week .. go dig some small holes.. around the plant...AND FIND OUT if the soil is drying between waterings.. or sodden ... act according to what you find ...

ken
Jenn Hoffman Ambler,PA (7A) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
What kind of nandina is it? There are many dwarf or compact cultivars that grow quite slowly and never get very large.

But even for the larger growing species, that plant looks to be in good shape for its size since planting and after experiencing some cold damage. In zones below 8 this shrub is really only semi-evergreen and can be severely damaged - like dieback to the root crown - in cold weather.

IME, this is a very forgiving shrub, tolerant of both sun and shade and wide range of soil conditions. While it prefers a moist soil, it needs to be well draining and will also tolerate quite dry conditions as well. I don't believe I have ever watered one after the initial, new plant irrigation needs. I doubt you need to be watering it all.
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Embothrium
6 years ago
Coldest winters even here in my part of USDA 8 may kill back some Nandina plants. So I definitely would not have done a fall planting in your area.
Jenn Hoffman Ambler,PA (7A) thanked Embothrium
Jenn Hoffman Ambler,PA (7A)
Original Author
6 years ago
It looks it is a Heavenly Bamboo from our contract the landscaper last year.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Heavenly bamboo is just a common name applied to any cultivar of Nandina domestica. It doesn't indicate a specific variety or cultivar. One can either make the assumption that this is the straight species or nail the landscaper down to exactly what type he planted.
Jenn Hoffman Ambler,PA (7A) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)