Do you have a small yard or tight space and want to provide it with some screening? Then the Firepower Nandina is what you need. It is a cultivar of heavenly bamboo with beautiful foliage color all season long. The heavenly bamboo Nandina once established is drought tolerant and has lime-green hues in spring with tinges of red. The foliage changes to light green in summer and bright red in fall. It will remain red through winter in growing zones 8 to 9. Therefore, the best time to plant it is in spring or fall.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Nandina ‘Firepower’, also called as Dwarf heavenly bamboo ‘Firepower’, is a cultivar in the genus Nandina. It was introduced into the United States sometime before 1985.
Nandina Firepower was allegedly derived in New Zealand as a sport from the cultivar, ‘Nana Purpurea’, also known as ‘Atropurpurea Nana’. ‘Firepower’ differs from ‘Nana Purpurea’ in having broader leaflets that are not contorted, presumably because ‘Firepower’ nandina is virus free.
It is a low-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub characterized by upright, cane-like stems that emerge from a crown-like structure at the soil surface. Pinnately compound leaves with broad leaflets are clustered at terminals. Growth is dense and compact, resulting in the overall effect of a mounded plant form. It does not flower or fruit.
Dwarf heavenly bamboo ‘Firepower’ differs from the species type of Nandina domestica in being distinctly compact, significantly shorter and in having broader leaflets that typically are lighter green in summer and more red in winter. While not considered rhizomatous, the “crown” of ‘Firepower’ nandina can increase in diameter with time.
New growth of the plant is lime green aging to light or medium green. Foliage may be tinged yellow or red, especially in summer. Low temperatures in fall and winter result in outer leaves turning burgundy to brilliant red.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Nandina Firepower grow best under light shade. It tends not to persist in full sun or dry soils unless it is mulched and irrigated regularly. If the shrub is grown in partial to full shade where the foliage remains wet, it may be prone to leaf spot diseases.
Temperature and Humidity
The sacred bamboo does not need winter protection grown in garden soil. Still, posted plants will need protection if you live in colder regions. You can wrap the pots outside with bubble wrap or burlap to prevent cold injury in freezing temperatures.
Or you can bring your plant indoors to overwinter. Still, place your Firepower Nandina in a bright spot to receive enough sunlight.
Watering
During its first growing season, water deeply and regularly to establish an extensive root system. Ensure the soil is kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. The plant grown in containers will need to be watered even more frequently than plants grown in the garden. Once well-established, mature plants are more resistant to drought and can tolerate short periods of drought more readily.
After the first growing season, water as needed. It need regular watering in hot, dry areas or if they are grown in porous soil. Provide 1 inch of water each week if the soil feels dry beneath the surface.
Soil
Providing Firepower Nandina with well-drained soil for the extensive root system growing as a specimen plant. The heavenly bamboo prefers avoiding alkaline soil as sacred bamboo can develop chlorosis.
Fertilizing
For optimal growth and color, it helps to fertilize your sacred bamboo with a general-purpose feed made for shrubs. You can apply a feed in early spring and then again in early summer. Alternatively, you can work with well-composted materials into the ground for added nutrition.
Pruning and mulching
The canes do not branch, and therefore pruning must be done carefully. An annual spring pruning of one or more trunks at the ground level encourages new shoots and foliage at the lower levels. It is desirable to keep lacy foliage growing all along the trunks from bottom to top. Unfortunately, many gardeners disfigure the natural graceful shape of an individual nandina shrub by pruning them incorrectly. Commonly, bushes are sheared into square or oblong shapes and all the lower foliage is pruned off the bottom of the trunks. The poor shrub loses its identity and now resembles a near naked plant only sparsely clad in greenery and standing on stork legs.
Mulching with at least 3 inches of organic matter helps to reduce the growth of weeds, conserves soil moisture, and provides micronutrients
Propagation
Because Firepower nandina is a cultivar, propagating it from seed won’t produce a plant that is true to the parent. Therefore growing it from seed is not recommended. 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 the summer, follow these steps:
- Cut the stem of a heavenly bamboo plant where the newest growth begins. There is often a noticeable difference between last year’s growth and the current year’s growth. The stem should be soft and green.
- Dip the end of the cutting in a rooting hormone.
- Plant the cutting in a container filled with damp potting mix.
- Keep the soil moist until roots start to grow..
Semi-hardwood cuttings are best taken in the summer or early fall. Semi-hardwood is the part of the stem that is partially, but not fully mature. Take these steps:
- Cut part of the cane that is relatively firm but still flexible enough to bend.
- Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone.
- Place the cutting in a container filled with damp potting mix.
- Cover the container with plastic wrap to keep in the humidity until roots start to grow.
Potting and Repotting
If you are looking to start a container garden, heavenly bamboo is an excellent choice, especially if you live in a region with cold winters.
Plant Firepower nandina in potting mix in a container large enough to accommodate the entire root system plus about 6 inches to allow for future growth. Make sure the pot has good drainage holes. Remember to keep the soil consistently moist. Heavenly bamboo will need to be watered more frequently when grown in a container versus a garden.
When grown in a container, a heavenly bamboo plant should only need repotting every two to three years. Move the plant to a container one size larger than its current pot and fill it with fresh potting mix.
Overwintering
When grown in garden soil within its hardiness range, Firepower nandina does not require any winter protection. Potted plants, however, might need winterization if you are at the lower range of the plant’s hardiness range. Wrap the container in burlap and bubble wrap so the roots don’t suffer cold injury during freezing temperatures.
In cold climates, bring the plant inside after the first fall frosts and keep it in a bright spot for overwintering.
Pests and Diseases
Nandina Firepower has no serious insect or disease pests, but it is occasionally bothered by scale and mites, and is an amazingly trouble-free plant. But you should know that all parts of the plant are poisonous, containing compounds that decompose to produce hydrogen cyanide, and could be fatal if ingested. The berries are considered toxic to cats and grazing animals. Excessive consumption of the berries will kill birds such as cedar waxwings, because they are subject to cyanide toxicosis, resulting in death to multiple individuals at one time.
III. Types of Nandina Domestica
The dwarf variety fits into a small space; it lacks dark red fruit. Yet, there are larger cultivars available.
- Nandina domestica ‘Moyer’s Red’ grows up to six feet in height with the same width. It also has light-pink blooms.
- Nandina domestica ‘Richmond’ reaches five feet tall and wide. This species has unique foliage color from late spring to fall, with excellent deep red fruit production.
- Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ has coppery foliage with orange tints in spring and changes to bluish-green.
Uses and Benefits
You can use the firepower of the heavenly bamboo Nandina in the landscape in different ways. Grow it as a single plant or use it as ground cover. Use it as a foundation planting, a low hedge, or an edging plant.
