Nandina 'Obsession'
Nandina domestica 'Obsession'
“Red-tipped foliage, compact habit.”
Background
A patented selection, Nandina domestica 'Seika' (PP21891), marketed as Obsession in the Southern Living Plant Collection. 'Seika' means 'sacred fire' in Japanese, a nod to its brilliant red foliage. Bred as an improved, essentially non-invasive (no messy berries) compact nandina. The UA arboretum notes it is endemic to China and Japan.
Distinguishing traits
Compact evergreen shrub ~2-3 ft tall and wide with bright red new growth in both warm and cool months over blue-green mature foliage; leaves turn outstanding red in fall and persist through winter. Dense, upright, mounding habit; fills to the ground — good for mass plantings and edging. The UA arboretum describes nandina as an evergreen shrub to about 8 feet with bamboo-like stalks, deep-green pinnate leaves that redden in cold, and showy clusters of red berries in fall.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- n/a — ornamental
- Cold hardiness
- Zones 6-9 (some sources 5b); hardy in 9b.
- Heat tolerance
- Heat, drought, and humidity tolerant; handles desert summers well. Red color is strongest with good sun.
- Water
- Low to moderate once established. The UA arboretum rates water use as high, noting it is not drought tolerant and is sensitive to dry or salty soils.
- Soil
- Well-drained, adaptable; mulch in desert beds.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun to part shade; full sun for the best red coloration. The UA arboretum recommends full sun to partial shade but cautions against over-exposure in very hot, sunny climates.
Where to buy
- Southern Living Plant Collection