Can or Should You Trim Nandina Plants?

Pruning Time

• Pruning and trimming on nandina may be done at any time of the year. Most nandina varieties are naturally compact in shape and keep their form well without trimming. If still required, these and other varieties can be kept to shorter, desired heights by pruning. Cut stems from nandina plants stay fresh for several days and work well in fresh floral arrangements.

Pruning Method

• Nandina plants are cane producers like bamboo and unlike plants with a main trunk and branches. Prune the plants by thinning at the base first by cutting down half of all the older woody stems to ground level. If you just keep trimming the top of the plant, it will create woody bases with foliage clusters on top. Thinning and trimming together help the plant produce lush and full growth.

Plant Description

• With a mature height of 6 to 8 feet, the lance-shaped, compound foliage of nandina gives the plant a very lacy look. The leaves grow on nonbranching stems that sucker profusely as they grow outward in a clumping habit. The plant blooms with white flower panicles growing from the ends of the stems during spring. The green berries that follow the flowers eventually turn bright red and persist for several months. Nandina wood is bright yellow.

Cultural Conditions

• Plant nandina in full sun for prolific flowering. Though the plant also adapts to partially sunny sites, the quantity of flowers is reduced. The plant prefers a fertile, well-drained garden soil for best growth. Water new plantings regularly to strengthen the root system. Reduce water gradually after the first season. Established plants are drought tolerant. Apply general-purpose fertilizer in early spring prior to new growth. Nandina is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 9.