Nandinas (journal page)
Ink and watercolor on paper
©2012 Lucinda Howe

In my return to basics in my art and garden, I ran across this journal page celebrating a favorite old fashioned plant, Nandina domestica, also known as “heavenly bamboo”.  This plant reminds me of my grandmother’s garden and its red berries are one of the few spots of color in the garden this time of year.   Red stems and leaves add texture in the garden year around, and the berries are good additions to holiday decorations.

Researching the botanical name, I discovered that nandina is considered an invasive foreign species in many parts of the southeast.   It spreads by roots and is hard to remove.  Some gardeners are very negative about it.  Who know grandmother’s favorite was such a thug?

So what to do?  I love its texture, so I’ll be keeping it, but I’m going to pay attention to keeping it pruned and digging up the suckers to control the spread.  And I’m going to review my list of better behaved native plant to find other options for berries in arrangements.

How do you feel about nandina…. Passalong favorite or unheavenly alien?