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dwarf nandina

Dwarf nandina is a highly sought-after compact shrub, prized for its colourful, evergreen foliage and minimal maintenance needs. Perfect for New Zealand gardens, dwarf nandina adds year-round interest to beds, borders, pots, and even low hedges. With their versatile size and appealing texture, these easy-care plants create bold splashes of red, gold, and green in the landscape, while being tough enough for full sun or partial shade. If you want a shrub that delivers maximum impact with minimal fuss, dwarf nandina deserves a spot in your garden.

Nandina Obsession growing in a garden with red foliage.

Nandina 'Obsession'

5 from 4 customers

Nandina 'Obsession' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New growth from spring through autumn is bright red and complements the older, dark green foliage beautifully. The red tones disappear as the foliage ages, but red tones will reappear through winter. This evergreen typically grows to 60 cm tall and the same width.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Lomandra Little Lime in a garden with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Little Lime

5 from 2 customers

Lomandra Little Lime is a compact ornamental grass known for its vibrant lime-green foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 50 cm in height and width, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Nandina domestica 'Firepower' colourful shrub.
Nandina 'Firepower'

Nandina 'Firepower', commonly known as Heavenly Bamboo, is an evergreen shrub with colourful foliage. The leaves are yellow-green in summer, then...

From$19.95
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Midget' is a dwarf variety that features foliage made up of small, fresh green leaves. The foliage is complemented with small, purple...

From$22.01
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.
Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', commonly known as the Prostrate Juniper, is a ground-hugging conifer that forms a carpet of blue-green, needle-like...

From$34.43
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
phormium-pepe-
Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year...

From$19.95
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$22.01
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.95
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$8.50
phoenix-roebelenii--3
Phoenix roebelenii

Phoenix roebelenii (Dwarf Date Palm) is an elegant palm valued for its fine, arching fronds and compact tropical appearance. The graceful green...

From$152.64
feijoa-bambina-
Feijoa 'Bambina'

Feijoa 'Bambina' is a compact, dwarf variety perfect for small gardens, patios, and containers. It grows to around 1.5 m tall and wide, forming a...

From$31.67
hymenosporum-gold-nugget--2
Hymenosporum 'Gold Nugget'

Hymenosporum 'Gold Nugget' (Dwarf Frangipani) is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its glossy foliage and masses of fragrant creamy yellow...

From$34.43
Bright red foliage on Nandina 'Little Flick' in a garden.
Nandina 'Little Flick'

Nandina 'Little Flick' is a dwarf variety of Nandina that grows as a compact, evergreen shrub. New growth from spring through autumn is bright red...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Pygmaea' shrub with vibrant pink-red foliage.
Nandina 'Pygmaea'

Nandina pygmaea, commonly known as Pygmy Nandina or Dwarf Sacred Bamboo, is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its fine, lacy foliage and seasonal...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Harbor Dwarf' plant in a garden.
Nandina 'Harbor Dwarf'

Nandina 'Harbor Dwarf' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New growth is flushed with red, ages to become bright green...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Moon Bay' plants with colourful red and green foliage.
Nandina 'Moon Bay'

Nandina 'Moon Bay' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New growth is lime green and flushed with a red hue. The red tones...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina domestica shrubs growing in a border garden with colourful foliage.
Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica, commonly known as Heavenly Bamboo or Sacred Bamboo, is a compact, evergreen shrub. New foliage in spring is purple-red, aging to...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina Nana plant with red foliage in a garden.
Nandina domestica 'Nana'

Nandina domestica ‘Nana’ is a compact, evergreen shrub valued for its colourful foliage and neat, low-growing form. Reaching just 30–40 cm tall, it’s...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina domestica Flirt plant with purple-red foliage.
Nandina 'Flirt'

Nandina 'Flirt' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. The new foliage produced from spring through to autumn is a colourful...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Gulf Stream' plants with yellow-green foliage.
Nandina 'Gulf Stream'

Nandina 'Gulf Stream' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New growth is bronze with orange tints and develops colours...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum 'Little Anita' plants as topiary balls in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Little Anita' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Little Anita' is a dwarf variety of Pittosporum with small, light green leaves as it grows to about 60 cm tall and 75 cm wide. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina Lemon And Lime plant in a garden with lush foliage.
Nandina 'Lemon and Lime'

The ‘Lemon and Lime’ Nandina is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its vibrant lime-green foliage that adds year-round colour to New Zealand...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Harbor Belle' plant in a pot.
Nandina 'Harbor Belle'

Nandina 'Harbor Belle' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New foliage is burgundy red and ages to green, retaining its...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Blush Pink' plant with colourful dark pink-red foliage.
Nandina 'Blush Pink'

Nandina 'Blush Pink' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New foliage from spring through autumn is pink-red and ages to...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Blush' shrubs with bright red foliage in a garden border.
Nandina 'Blush'

Nandina 'Blush' is a compact, evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage. The new foliage, produced from spring through autumn, is a colourful...

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Richmond' plants with vibrant, yellow-green foliage.
Nandina 'Richmond'

Nandina domestica 'Richmond' is an evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage and impressive sprays of red berries. The leaves are dark green...

OUT OF STOCK
Acer 'Coonara Pygmy' tree with green foliage and orange, new growth.
Acer palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy'

Acer palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy' is a delightful dwarf Japanese Maple known for its compact form and finely divided leaves. The foliage emerges soft...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-red-dwarf-
Phormium 'Red Dwarf'

Phormium 'Red Dwarf' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich red foliage and tidy clumping form. This hardy evergreen adds bold colour and...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Black Pepe' dwarf flax plant.
Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)

Phormium 'Black Pepe' is a dwarf Flax variety that produces black leaves with a purple overtone. It grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide in full sun...

OUT OF STOCK
Cryptomeria Littleworth Dwarf shrub.
Cryptomeria 'Littleworth Dwarf' (Dwarf Cryptomeria)

Cryptomeria 'Littleworth Dwarf' is a compact evergreen conifer valued for its soft textured foliage, naturally dense habit, and dependable year round...

OUT OF STOCK
Ixora Dwarf Orange plant with orange flowers.
Ixora Dwarf Orange

Ixora 'Dwarf Orange' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its clusters of vibrant orange flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer....

OUT OF STOCK
Nandina 'Obsession'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Juniperus, Lomandra, and Nandina, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, and Mondo Grass.

Search dwarf nandina

What is Dwarf Nandina?

Dwarf nandina, often called ‘Heavenly Bamboo,’ is a non-invasive relative of traditional nandina with a naturally compact habit. While standard nandinas can reach over a metre tall, dwarf forms usually stay well under 60cm, making them perfect for gardens with limited space or where you want a tidy, structured look. Their foliage transforms throughout the year, shifting from soft greens in spring to bold crimson, bronze, or gold by autumn and winter. The fine, bamboo-like leaves give a delicate appearance, but these little shrubs are remarkably hardy and drought tolerant once established.

Popular Varieties Suited for New Zealand

Choosing the right dwarf nandina variety can significantly enhance your garden’s style and colour palette. Some standout forms include:

With these dwarf varieties, you can create layered plantings, vivid garden edges, or highlight containers year-round.

Where to Plant Dwarf Nandina

Dwarf nandina thrives in almost any well-drained soil and copes well with both sun and partial shade. It’s tolerant of urban conditions, making it an excellent choice for city gardens or modern landscapes. Use dwarf nandina as a low-growing foundation plant, massed along pathways, or tucked into mixed borders for reliable structure and bursts of seasonal colour. Their neat growth makes them perfect for planting in rows or garden pots, flanking entrances, or brightening patio corners.

How to Care for Dwarf Nandina

These compact shrubs are wonderfully low-maintenance. They seldom require pruning, but if you prefer a particularly dense shape, light trimming in late winter encourages new, colourful growth. Dwarf nandina tolerates dry spells once established, but occasional watering in the hottest months keeps foliage fresh. They seldom suffer from pests or diseases and need only a yearly handful of balanced slow-release fertiliser.

For those seeking reliable year-round colour, low care needs, and options for modern and classic garden designs, dwarf nandina is hard to beat. Explore beautiful forms like Nandina Little Flick, Nandina 'Pygmaea', Nandina Harbor Dwarf, Nandina Obsession, and Nandina Moon Bay to find the perfect option for your space. Add dwarf nandina to your planting plan and enjoy vibrant, ever-changing foliage throughout the seasons.


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