One of the plants widely promoted by the late JC Raulston was the old cultivar, Nandina domestica ‘Filamentosa’. Although it will never been widely grown, since it doesn’t bear the bright red fruit, what it adds texturally to a garden is truly irreplaceable. Below is our patch in mid November, as the foliage takes on the hues of autumn. This is a compact growing selection, never exceeding 18″ in height. Winter hardiness is Zone 6b-9a.
Isn’t Nandina domestica considered an invasive plant? Do you find it growing uncontrollably at JLBG?
Nandinas can certainly seed around, but usually that is only a regional problem. In our observations, nandinas seed around most often in organically rich soils. In areas like the forests of Florida, the problem has become quite epic. Since fungi and other microbes naturally produce Gibberellic Acid as they break down organic matter, it has been theorized as a potential cause for greatly increased seed germination of some plants in organically rich soils.
Very interesting. guessing since doesn’t bear fruit won’t be invasive like some nandinas. I love maidenhair ferns but no luck with them. can you recommend a good one? Thanks and Happy Tanksgiving to all!
It would help to know where you are, and your conditions. Which have you tried that didn’t work?
How much sun for this patch? Mine is in some shade. Maybe in 15 years it will look like this patch? (And cedar waxwing safe….).
These are growing in full sun, and planted on 18″ centers. They don’t become nearly as dense in shade.
Very useful plant. These belong to the Capillaris Group with reduced lamina. About 25 clones of it exist in Japan and some are ultra-dwarf for bonsai use. The bigger 12-18 inch Filamentosa type is called ‘Jurijuse’ in Japan and JC Raulston distributed another shrubby version called ‘Chidori’ that was in JCRA Winter Garden for years. ‘Kurijuse’ is also sold as ‘San Gabriel’, ‘Orihime’, ‘Kurijusi’, and ‘Filamentosa’. I’ve got pics of about 10 other named clones from the Atlanta B.G., a bonsai collector, and JC’s old collections if anyone is curious.
I’d love to see pics of the other forms. And do any of these different forms do well in the SE? And where can one buy them?
Most of these are both so odd and so slow growing, that any nursery interested in actually making a living would never grow them. It would have to be someone with a passion for quirky plants, who didn’t need to support themselves by plant sales.