Nandina domestica
Common name: heavenly bamboo
Useful cultivars and selections: many different cultivars, ‘Harbour Dwarf’
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Mature height and spread: 5 ft tall by 10 ft wide
Form: upright, medium size shrub
Water use: medium to low
Soil requirements: well-drained
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Fall colour: evergreen but bronzes a bit in fall
Flower/cone/fruit descriptions: very attractive red ‘berry’ fruit, persistent, flowers are white, fragrant
Limitations:
Suitable uses: good in mass plantings, in protected, sunny location
ID description: compound leaves arranged near ends of stem
Berberis nervosa
Common name: Oregon grape, long leafed mahonia
Useful cultivars and selections: –
USDA hardiness zone: 5
Mature height and spread: 1/2 m tall by 1 m wide
Form: low and spreading
Water use: medium
Soil requirements: well-drained
Leaf arrangement: opposite
Fall colour: evergreen
Flower/cone/fruit descriptions: fruit blueish grapes, dusty looking, edible but unpalatable, yellow flowers on upright panicles
Limitations:
Suitable uses: barrier
ID description: each leaf has 9-12 forward pointed leaflets, no petioles on leaflets (except terminal leaflet), new growth is copper coloured, spiny leaves, nerve like venation
Berberis julianae
Common name: wintergreen barberry
Useful cultivars and selections: –
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Mature height and spread: 3-4 m tall and wide
Form: twiggy shrub
Water use: medium
Soil requirements: well-drained, acidic
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Fall colour: evergreen, old leaves turn scarlet before they fall
Flower/cone/fruit descriptions: flowers yellow, bloom April to May, drooping racemes of 10-25 flowers, turn into blue-black berries
Limitations: very spiny
Suitable uses: hedge or barrier
ID description: large spines, leathery elliptic leaves
