Nandina has long been a mainstay in Southern landscapes, and for good reason. Nandina is a very flexible plant that grows well in both sunny and shady spots, in wet or dry soil, and in both modern and traditional garden designs. This tough plant needs little pampering and performs beautifully in our hottest and coldest weather. No wonder nandina established such a foothold in the gardens of our parents and grandparents.
From beloved to loathed, nandina is also a plant that invites strong reactions. With today’s better nandina cultivars, we can enjoy what’s great about nandina while getting rid of the things that people don’t like about it. We can change the rules about where and how to use nandina in the garden as we go. Join us!.
With their delicate, bamboo-like foliage and ability to thrive in heat, nandinas are a popular choice for Southern gardens. But when it comes to sun exposure, do nandinas need full sun to perform their best? While they are adaptable plants, getting the sunlight levels right is key to growing vigorous nandinas with vivid leaf colors. This article will explore nandina’s ideal sun requirements and provide growing tips to help your nandinas flourish in the right amount of sunlight for your climate.
An Overview of Nandina’s Sun Needs
Nandina is considered one of the most versatile shrubs when it comes to light exposure. It can adapt and grow successfully in full sun to partial shade. However, the amount of sunlight it receives will impact certain characteristics
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Growth rate and height More sun equals faster growth and taller size
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Leaf color: Sunnier locations lead to brighter red foliage in fall and winter. Shade-grown nandinas have greener leaves year-round.
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Flowering: More sunlight results in greater flower and berry production.
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Hardiness: Full sun helps nandinas better withstand cold winters.
So while nandinas can grow in anything from full sun to deep shade, ideally they perform best in bright light with some afternoon shade. Let’s look more closely at how sun levels affect nandina’s performance.
Full Sun Conditions
Full sun means at least 6 hours of direct unfiltered sunlight each day. This is often ideal for nandinas in the warmest climates like the Southeast, Gulf South, and Southern California. Benefits of full sun include:
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Fast growth rate, reaching larger mature sizes up to 8 feet tall and wide.
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Most prolific flowering and fruiting.
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Brightest leaf colors in fall and winter when leaves turn bold shades of red, purple, and orange.
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Increased cold hardiness once established.
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Drought tolerance.
When growing nandina in full sun, provide adequate water, particularly during the first year while roots establish. Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture. Some afternoon shade is recommended, especially in hot climates, to prevent sun scorch. Northern exposures often provide the perfect amount of sun for nandinas in the South.
Morning Sun, Afternoon Shade
Many gardeners find the ideal lighting for nandinas is a location with at least 4 hours of morning sun then shade in the hottest afternoon hours. This provides bright light to fuel growth and flowering while protecting the shrub during peak heat.
Leaf colors may be slightly more green than red, especially compared to full sun, but still have nice fall tones. Growth rate and flower production will also be moderate. Providing good air circulation can help reduce fungal leaf spots if grown in dense shade.
East, southeast or south facing sites work well to provide sufficient morning sun. Light afternoon shade can come from trees, buildings or tall garden structures. This balanced exposure is ideal for nandinas in hot southern zones.
Partial Shade Conditions
Partial shade refers to areas with at least 4 hours of filtered sunlight per day or 2-4 hours of morning or afternoon sun with shade the rest of the day. Many homeowners find nandina thrives with this gentle light. Benefits include:
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Lower maintenance water and pruning needs.
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Reduced sun scorch risk compared to full sun.
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Avoidance of reflected heat from walls or structures.
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Slower, more compact growth reaching 4-6 feet at maturity.
While the foliage may appear more green than red, most varieties will still show nice reddish tones in fall and winter when given partial sun. Provide even moisture and air movement for best performance in shade.
Deep or Full Shade
Dense shade beneath tree canopies or on the north side of buildings receives less than 2 hours of direct sunlight per day. Although it can tolerate deep shade, nandina grows slowly and lanky in very low light. Leaves remain green all year without fall color. Flowering and fruiting will also be minimal.
If a shady site can’t be avoided, choose compact nandina varieties under 3 feet tall. Prune frequently to encourage denser foliage. Give extra watering attention since competition for moisture is high under thick shade.
Maximizing Leaf Colors
While green foliage is fine, many gardeners grow nandina for its striking red to purplish leaves emerging in fall. To encourage the most vivid autumn leaf colors:
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Select sunnier sites with at least 4-6 hours of light daily.
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Plant in well-drained soil of average fertility – avoid overly rich sites.
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Allow plants to experience light drought stress in late summer to trigger leaf pigments.
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Plant in northern exposures where sunlight is more intense.
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Choose nandina cultivars known for their bold reddish fall hues.
Providing Versatile Sun Options
One benefit of nandinas is they allow flexibility in siting from full exposure to shade. Consider your climate, plant characteristics needed, and available sunlight when choosing the right spot. With proper placement and care, nandinas will thrive and showcase their graceful presence in gardens across the South.
Provide Textural Contrast
Foliage texture of nandinas varies among cultivars from fine to medium. Texture provides the biggest payoff from a design standpoint when used to create contrast. Combine opposing textures for visual impact. There are round purple leaves of Purple Pixie Dwarf Weeping Loropetalum and thin, elegant blades of fountain grass or pennisetum in this fall container. They stand out against the fine-textured ‘Lemon Lime’ Nandina.
Nandina’s fine texture can be used to soften the edges of hardscapes in the garden, whether it’s a fence corner or the edge of a patio. Use waves of nandina to hide sharp edges or plant a lot of them below fountains and statues to make a soft bed. Nandina also works well among stonework, masonry and wooden structures. Select a cultivar that will provide both color and textural contrast.
Plant Containers That Last
Compact cultivars allow nandinas to go where old-fashioned varieties could not – into containers. For stunning bright plantings, combine reliable but beautiful nandina with vibrant tropical foliage and flowering annuals or perennials. If you use an evergreen nandina as the centerpiece, you can easily change the nandina containers from one season to the next. Check out our nandina container recipes here.
Nandina is the star of this evergreen container garden planting, which also includes hardy shrubs like Purple Pixie® Loropetalum and ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia. This plant combination has yellow winter blooms from the mahonia that last past spring, and lemon-lime-colored flowers all year from the ‘Lemon Lime’ Nandina and ‘Everillo’ Carex that brighten up shady areas.
How to Grow Nandinas in Full Shade
FAQ
How much sun does nandina require?
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Common Name
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Firepower Nandina
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Plant Type
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Shrub
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Mature Size
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2 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
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Sun Exposure
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Full, partial
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Soil Type
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Well-drained
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