With its graceful, bamboo-like foliage and showy red berries heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is a popular shrub in many landscapes. However, without proper pruning and trimming heavenly bamboo can soon turn into a leggy, unattractive mess. Follow this guide to learn the right way to trim your heavenly bamboo for the best shape, fullness, and beauty.
Why Prune Heavenly Bamboo
Pruning heavenly bamboo serves several important purposes
-
Keeps plants compact, full, and shapely rather than leggy and sparse
-
Removes dead or damaged stems
-
Thins congested growth to improve air circulation
-
Renews old plants by stimulating new growth
-
Controls size and prevents overgrowth
-
Encourages more flower and berry production
-
Maintains desired size and form for hedges or specimens
When to Trim Heavenly Bamboo
Heavenly bamboo can be pruned:
- In early spring before new growth begins
- In late winter to use cut stems for arrangements
- In summer after the spring flush of growth
- In fall to shape plants before winter
Avoid pruning when the plant is flowering in spring. Pruning at that time will remove the stems that produce flowers and berries.
Best Tools for Trimming Heavenly Bamboo
Gather these essential tools before pruning heavenly bamboo:
- Bypass hand pruners for smaller stems
- Loppers for cutting thicker canes up to half an inch
- Small hand saws for old, thick stems over one inch diameter
- Pole pruners and pole saws for tall, mature plants
- Sharp, clean tools to ensure precise cuts without crushing
How to Trim and Shape Heavenly Bamboo
Follow these steps to properly trim and shape overgrown heavenly bamboo:
-
Remove dead, damaged or crossing stems – Cut these out first down to the base to open up the interior.
-
Thin inner stems – Selectively remove about one-third of the oldest, tallest stems from the inner canopy. Space the stems you remove evenly.
-
Cut back remaining stems – Prune back another one-third of the tallest, oldest stems by half their height. Cut just above an outward facing bud or leaf.
-
Shape uniformly – Step back periodically to check for shaping. Remove any stray stems poking out.
-
Prune dwarf varieties lightly – Take out only a few inner and oldest stems annually to contain spread.
-
Clean up debris – Remove all clippings from the area when finished to discourage pests and disease.
Pruning Tips for Heavenly Bamboo
Follow these tips for great results trimming your heavenly bamboo:
-
Never shear or trim into tight balls or boxes. This damages the graceful shape.
-
Time pruning to control plant size before it gets out of hand.
-
Remove any suckers growing from the base roots.
-
Prune more vigorously every few years to renew overgrown plants.
-
Fertilize and water after major pruning to spur fast regrowth.
-
Prune dwarf varieties minimally to maintain their compact shape.
-
Wear gloves and long sleeves since leaves have sharp points.
-
Sterilize tools after trimming diseased stems to prevent spread.
-
Replace plants that are too far gone or fail to respond to rejuvenation pruning.
Post-Pruning Care
Once you’ve trimmed your heavenly bamboo, provide appropriate aftercare:
-
Water deeply after pruning to encourage fresh growth.
-
Apply compost or slow-release fertilizer around the roots.
-
Stake stems on vigorously pruned plants while they re-establish.
-
Watch for new growth. Begin normal watering and care routines as growth resumes.
-
Add mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
With the right pruning techniques at the right times, it’s easy to keep your heavenly bamboo looking its best. Follow this guide for trimming heavenly bamboo and you’ll have attractive, full plants for years to come.
Prune nandinas in mid to late winter.
- {“smallUrl”:”https://www. wikihow. com/s/thumb/6/67/Prune-Nandinas-Step-6-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Prune-Nandinas-Step-6-Version-2. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”/s/thumb/6/67/Prune-Nandinas-Step-6-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Prune-Nandinas-Step-6-Version-2. jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this under U. S. and international copyright laws. This text and some other things on the wikiHow website are licensed under the Creative Commons license, but this is not. Other groups are not allowed to use this without wikiHow, Inc.’s written permission. Cut the oldest and longest stems down to a third of their length. Take the next two stems and cut them in half. Cut the rest of the stems down to a quarter of their length. Intermix cuts to give the bushes a fuller look. Cut off one-third of the old growth on an older plant when you work on it.
Cut just above a branch or leaf node.
- {“smallUrl”:”https://www. wikihow. com/s/thumb/9/9a/Prune-Nandinas-Step-7-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Prune-Nandinas-Step-7-Version-3. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”/s/thumb/9/9a/Prune-Nandinas-Step-7-Version-3. jpg/v4-728px-Prune-Nandinas-Step-7-Version-3. jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this under U. S. and international copyright laws. This text and some other things on the wikiHow website are licensed under the Creative Commons license, but this is not. Other groups are not allowed to use this without wikiHow, Inc.’s written permission. 1 This will let new shoots grow and keep the plant from looking too bare. If you cut the stem too far down, the plant will look weak and plain.
Advertisement
===Fertilize the nandina after pruning.===
- {“smallUrl”:”https://www. wikihow. com/s/thumb/7/71/Prune-Nandinas-Step-9-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Prune-Nandinas-Step-9-Version-2. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”/s/thumb/7/71/Prune-Nandinas-Step-9-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Prune-Nandinas-Step-9-Version-2. jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this under U. S. and international copyright laws. This text and some other things on the wikiHow website are licensed under the Creative Commons license, but this is not. Other groups are not allowed to use this without wikiHow, Inc.’s written permission. 1 It is suggested to fertilize plants after pruning because it gives them the nutrients they need and helps them get ready for the growing season to come. Once the stems and leaves have been cut back, try to fertilize the plant that same day or within a few days.
How to do the Right Pruning with Nandina AKA Heavenly Bamboo – Vargas Landscaping Presents
FAQ
How and when to prune nandina?
How do you manage heavenly bamboo?
What is the lifespan of heavenly bamboo?
How do you care for a heavenly bamboo bush?
How do you prune heavenly bamboo?
Keep the rule of thirds in mind. Get out the pruners or loppers in winter or early spring and begin. Start by cutting back heavenly bamboo canes. Take out one-third of the total number at ground level, spacing those you remove evenly throughout the bush. Then, prune heavenly bamboo stalks – one-third of those remaining – to reduce their height.
How do you propagate heavenly bamboo?
Prune the canes to varying heights for the best results. Heavenly bamboo is most readily propagated through cuttings. Both softwood (new growth) and semi-hardwood cuttings work for propagating heavenly bamboo. To take a softwood cutting in warmer weather, follow these steps: Cut the stem of a heavenly bamboo plant where the newest growth begins.
Do heavenly bamboo plants get leggy?
Gardeners are so thrilled with their nandina that they call it “ heavenly bamboo .’ However, nandina plants can get leggy as they grow taller. Pruning heavenly bamboo plants keeps these foundation shrubs dense and bushy. If you want to learn how to prune nandina, we’ll give you the top tips on cutting back heavenly bamboo.
How do you care for heavenly bamboo?
After the first growing season, water as needed. Ideally, heavenly bamboo is grown in a warm, slightly humid, wind-protected environment. While heavenly bamboo can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, they will not survive long in such frigid conditions.
