Introduction
'Harbor Dwarf' nandina is a dense, compact cultivar of Nandina domestica. It branches from the ground to form a dense mound about 18 inches in height. Dwarf nandina has smaller leaves and more branches than the species. Small, pink, or bronze, tripinnately compound, leaves emerge in spring and turn orange to red in the winter. The flowers and fruits of this cultivar are also smaller than the species and less abundant.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Nandina domestica 'Harbor Dwarf'
Pronunciation: nan-DEE-nuh doe-MESS-stick-kuh
Common name(s): 'Harbor Dwarf' nandina
Family: Berberidaceae
Plant type: ground cover
USDA hardiness zones: 7 through 10 (Figure 4)
Planting month for zone 7: year-round
Planting month for zone 8: year-round
Planting month for zone 9: year-round
Planting month for zone 10: year-round
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: not considered a problem species at this time and may be recommended by UF/IFAS faculty (reassess in 10 years)
Uses: container or above-ground planter; mass planting; ground cover; foundation; edging; small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); medium-sized parking lot islands (100-200 square feet in size); large parking lot islands (> 200 square feet in size)
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
Credit:
Description
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 3 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: slow
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound
Leaf margin: undulate
Leaf shape: lanceolate
Leaf venation: pinnate; reticulate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: purple or red
Fall color: red
Fall characteristic: showy
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: spring flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: less than 1/2 inch
Fruit cover: fleshy
Fruit color: red
Fruit characteristic: rarely fruits
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems
Current year stem/twig color: reddish
Current year stem/twig thickness: thick
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: plant has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
'Harbor Dwarf' nandina is used in the landscape as an attractive and graceful ground cover or edging. Plant on 18- to 24-inch centers to form a thick ground cover. It is an interesting plant all year round.
Nandina domestica 'Harbor Dwarf' will grow well when given full sun or partial shade. It tolerates most well-drained soils and will endure periods of drought. The canes of this plant do not branch, but there are many stems originating at ground level to thicken the plant. 'Harbor Dwarf' nandina is commonly propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in the fall. The largest advances in propagation are in tissue culture to produce virus free plants.
Other dwarf cultivars include 'Compacta'—slower growing than the species with smaller leaflets, but eventually reaches 5 to 7 feet tall; 'Nana Purpurea'—to about 18 inches tall with coarse foliage turning bright, glossy red in winter; 'Woods Dwarf'—same as above, 18 inches tall best for the full sun.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern.
