Nandina pruning

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sassyfras Mount Juliet, TN(Zone 6b) Jun 15, 2007

I have what I think are dwarf nandina along my driveway. I have tried over the last 3 years to prune them so they will look pretty. Unfortunately they frequently look scalped. They put off these longer tendril like leaves that I thought would look pretty if I let them droop to the ground. But I am unable to achieve this effect. I hope I don't sound daffy, it is often times hard to portray in words what you are trying to do. I just want these shrubs to look nice because they are the first thing you see when you pull in our driveway. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Smokey_SC Piedmont, SC(Zone 7b) Jun 15, 2007

Can you post a pic of the whole plant?

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DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL(Zone 10a) Jun 16, 2007

http://davesgarden.com/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=nandina&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

If you click on the above and choose a plant we may be able to give you advice.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 16, 2007

A picture would really help, that might help us visualize what you're trying to do and help see what's gone wrong so far. I'm also not sure based on what you've told us so far that you actually have a Nandina, so a picture will help figure that out too. I've never seen any Nandinas that have a weeping habit so if that is indeed what you have, I don't think the plant is going to do what you want. Nandinas are also one of those shrubs that naturally has a very nice form, I had some at my old house and never once touched them with the pruning shears so I think they may look better if you just put the pruners away.

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sassyfras Mount Juliet, TN(Zone 6b) Jun 28, 2007

Here is a picture of my nandina. I hope it is an actual nandina. I thought the late freeze had gotten them this year, but they recovered. Again, any help would be appreciated.
Peggy

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Smokey_SC Piedmont, SC(Zone 7b) Jul 09, 2007

That is a Nandina. What are the yellow flowers from?

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Smokey_SC Piedmont, SC(Zone 7b) Jul 09, 2007

The name of the Nandina is 'Moon Bay'. I don't think it needs trimed unless you just want to.

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JasperDale Long Beach, CA(Zone 10a) Jul 12, 2007

Different varieties of Nandinas grow differently. Some are loose and lacey, others are rigid, some are open and airy, some very densely foliaged.

IMHO, the worst thing people do to Nandinas is shear them with hedge clippers and destroy the entire effect of an otherwise beautiful plant.

They look much better if you "thin out" the canes (stems) from the base of the plant to open it up and shape it, and leave the tips of the stems. They do not lend themselves to harsh shearing and "shaping" into geometric shapes.

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