Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'
Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 feet
- Width
- 2 to 3 feet
- Flower color
- White
- Foliage color
- Young growth is bronze-red, maturing to green and gaining a reddish tone in cool weather
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate, low once established
- Maintenance
- Low; naturally compact with little pruning required
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Rarely produces berries, but if they appear, they should be removed as they are toxic to animals
About this plant
Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream' is a compact evergreen shrub known for its ever-changing foliage. In spring, new leaves emerge with a vibrant scarlet-red hue, gradually maturing to blue-green during the summer months when small, delicate white flowers appear. As autumn arrives, the foliage transforms into a dramatic display of intense red, adding seasonal interest. The plant retains its brilliant coloration well into winter, making it a year-round garden feature.
This variety is a cultivar of the species Nandina domestica, commonly called heavenly bamboo, and is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and versatility in landscapes. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for use as a foundation plant, in mixed borders, or even as a low hedge. Developed for its ornamental qualities, 'Gulf Stream' has become a popular choice for gardens due to its vibrant foliage and adaptability to a range of conditions.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Borders · Containers · Foundation Plantings
Companion plants
Mahonias · Astilbe · Heucheras · Maidenhair fern · Corydalis · Lily-of-the-valley
Design tip
Use ‘Gulf Stream’ in repeated groups along a foundation or border to create a consistent, low-growing framework. Pair it with dark green evergreens or other steady foliage colors so its shifts from bronze-red to green and back to red become the changing seasonal accent.
