Nandina domestica is just that plant. Not even remotely related to the bamboo family, the sacred Bamboo is native to Asia, from India through to Japan, where it is commonly found in cultivation and in the wild. While the genus only has one species in it, there are many cultivars registered throughout the world.

It is highly valued in the garden for its beautiful foliage which has a bamboo feel about it though turns wonderful shades of red, orange and bronze in autumn. It is also a very hardy plant requiring little effort and handling temperatures down to -15˚C (though foliage will start to drop below 0˚C). The tropics are the only region of Australia where Nandina domestica has trouble growing.

The original form has its foliage at the top of a “cane’ which grows taller each year to a height of 1.8 metres. It is ideally suited to the role of a background screen in a larger garden bed or around the base of palms where it looks spectacular at night with lights shining up through the foliage. Equally the Sacred Bamboo works well in small courtyard garden beds and pots where its spread is contained.

Cultivation for the Sacred Bamboo is fairly simple. It can be planted in full sun or part shade and as long as the soil is friable to a depth of 200mm and retains moisture without being boggy. Foliage colour is stronger in full sun; if the plant gets a good dose of the afternoon summer sun it can develop a washed out look.

The tall, common form produces both runners and seeds from which the plant can be propagated. The seeds are slow to germinate and if taken from a cultivar will most likely revert to a basic form, therefore losing the special characteristics of the cultivar. Clump or runner division works for some varieties but the best propagation method is semi-hardwood cuttings take in summer or autumn.

Little maintenance is required for any form of this plant. Prune back unwanted stems in spring to tidy up clump, don’t fertilize heavily if as all and do not overwater. If you have alkaline soil, the leaves may develop a yellow look. Lower the pH of the soil by adding iron chelate or iron sulphate and copious amounts of compost and you will restore colour to the cheeks of your plant.

N. domestica “Nana’ and the many other dwarf cultivars are particularly popular in the contemporary domestic landscape as they only grow to about 0.5m tall and the same width , do not produce runners or seeds and require no pruning to look good all year for many years. They can be used as a feature plant or on mass for a sea of seasonal colour.

Seed producing varieties do have a weed potential, with birds carrying the seeds into bushland where they will wait for the right conditions. If you live close to bushland consider you choice or if you prefer the taller, seeding variety for your situation, after flowering cut the berries off before the seeds set.

This is an essential plant for any Japanese, tropical or contemporary garden.