The shrub known in the nursery trade as ‘China Girl’ is a popular, year-round ornamental plant highly valued for its striking visual display in the landscape. This cultivar of Nandina domestica, often called Heavenly Bamboo or Sacred Bamboo, is not a true bamboo species but is appreciated for its delicate, fine-textured foliage and upright growth habit. Landscape designers favor the plant for its ability to provide consistent color in winter, when many other garden plants are dormant. The appeal of ‘China Girl’ is largely due to its heavy production of bright red berries that persist throughout the cold season, offering a vibrant contrast against the winter backdrop.
Identifying Features and Scientific Classification
The ‘China Girl’ cultivar belongs to the species Nandina domestica, which is classified in the Berberidaceae family, distancing it from true bamboo. This evergreen shrub is characterized by its cane-like, unbranched stems that emerge directly from the ground, giving it an airy, upright structure. The leaves are complex, described as bi- or tri-pinnately compound, which means they are divided multiple times into many small leaflets.
Foliage color changes significantly with the season, a major attribute that makes this plant desirable. New spring growth often emerges with pink or reddish tints before maturing to a medium green during the summer months. As temperatures drop in autumn and winter, the leaves develop a striking reddish-purple or bronze hue, with the intensity of the color often dependent on sun exposure and cold temperatures.
The most distinguishing characteristic of the ‘China Girl’ is its exceptional production of fruit compared to the parent species and many other cultivars. Following the appearance of small, white flowers in late spring or early summer, the shrub develops large clusters of spherical, bright red berries. These berries ripen in the fall and remain attached to the plant well into the following spring, providing a long period of visual interest.
Essential Care Requirements
Successful cultivation of Nandina domestica ‘China Girl’ begins with appropriate site selection, as the plant thrives in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Positioning the shrub in full sun encourages the most intense winter foliage coloration, while a site with afternoon shade is beneficial in regions with intensely hot summers. The plant adapts to a variety of soil conditions but performs best in a well-drained, fertile soil that is slightly acidic.
When planting, proper drainage is a greater concern than soil composition, as the shrub is susceptible to root rot in constantly saturated conditions. After planting, regular, deep watering is necessary to help the root system become established during the first growing season. Once established, the plant exhibits good drought tolerance, making it a low-maintenance choice that only requires supplemental watering during extended dry periods.
Fertilization is generally minimal for this hardy shrub; an application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is sufficient to promote healthy growth and maximum berry production. For maintaining an attractive shape, pruning should focus on thinning out old, woody canes rather than shearing the entire plant. Removing the oldest, tallest stems near the ground level in late winter or early spring encourages new, vigorous growth and maintains the plant’s natural, upright form.
Toxicity Concerns and Safe Placement
The question of toxicity is a relevant concern for Nandina domestica ‘China Girl’, as all parts of the plant, especially the berries and leaves, contain compounds that pose a risk if ingested. These parts contain cyanogenic glycosides, which, when metabolized in the digestive tract, can release hydrogen cyanide. This chemical process is the source of the plant’s toxicity.
The risk is especially pronounced for certain animals, including cats, dogs, grazing livestock, and particular species of birds. Instances of cyanide poisoning have been documented in Cedar Waxwings that consumed large quantities of the berries during late winter when other food sources were scarce. Symptoms in pets can include weakness, incoordination, and respiratory failure, requiring immediate veterinary attention if ingestion is suspected.
While human poisoning is uncommon, the bright red berries can still be attractive to young children. To mitigate this risk, gardeners with pets or small children should exercise caution regarding the plant’s location. Safe placement involves situating the shrub away from high-traffic play areas or pet enclosures, or alternatively, pruning off the flower clusters in late spring to prevent the formation of the attractive red berries entirely.