Obsession Nandina Shrub

Four Seasons of Color From One Remarkably Easy Shrub 

Obsession Nandina™ is the full package of fiery landscape color and tough drought-tolerance

• Compact, mounded habit reaches just 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide making it well-suited for containers, hedges, and mass plantings.
• Foliage emerges vivid red in spring, transitions to green through summer, then shifts to rich red in the fall.
• Hardy in USDA Zones 6–10 this plant is drought tolerant, heat tolerant, and adaptable to a wide range of soil types.
• Low-maintenance and slow-growing; holds its shape without frequent pruning and thrives with minimal intervention.

The Obsession Nandina shrub is an exotic-looking plant that resembles bamboo. It’s an easy-to-grow compact shrub that is prized for its foliage displays in spring and fall. This dwarf evergreen shrub is also known as Heavenly Bamboo but it’s not related to bamboo. The shrub is a relative of Berberis and is ideal for growing in containers or in-ground. The Nandina Obsession plant develops new leaves in the early spring that emerge as a fiery red color and slowly turn to a deep blue-green as the air temperature warms. The fall foliage color is what makes this shrub variety stand out from the other landscape shrubs. Obsession nandina leaves will turn from variegated green to red and will remain on the shrub for months.

Why Gardeners Love the Obsession™ Nandina

Compact for Tight Spaces: At 3 to 4 feet tall and equally wide, Obsession fits naturally into spaces where larger shrubs become problems over time. It thrives in large containers on covered porches and patios, works beautifully as a low hedge around garden perimeters, and creates a bold seasonal impact when planted in mass.

Foliage That Changes: The fall foliage color is what makes this shrub variety stand out from the other landscape shrubs. Obsession nandina leaves will turn from variegated green to red and will remain on the shrub for weeks on end.

Deer Resistant: Planted as a perimeter hedge around vegetable or flower gardens, Obsession Nandina can help discourage deer from browsing. It's not a guaranteed barrier, but deer generally find nandina unappealing.

How to Care for Your Obsession™ Nandina

• Plant in full sun to partial shade; both exposures are well-tolerated, and the shrub makes an excellent container plant for covered porches and patios where light may be filtered.
• Grows in most well-draining soil types without particular fussiness; good drainage is the main requirement, and the plant adapts to a wide range of soil conditions beyond that.
• Water only during prolonged dry periods once established; Obsession is genuinely drought tolerant and thrives in summer heat with minimal maintenance.
• Nandinas are slow-growing shrubs and only need to be pruned to keep them tidy. If an older nandina begins to look unsightly, the entire shrub can be pruned back to the ground in early spring.

Pro-Gardener Tip: In the coldest parts of its range, container-grown plants can be moved to a sheltered location next to the house or against a foundation wall during winter to protect from freezing temperatures and strong winds.

Why Buy from Perfect Plants Nursery?

We've been growing and shipping quality plants from our Florida nursery since 1980, and every Obsession Nandina that leaves here goes directly from our care to your door. Browse our full shrub collection to find your perfect plant or explore all our ornamental foliage plants today. Shop the Obsession™ Nandina for sale today. Happy Planting!