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Obsession Nandina

33 Reviews
| 2 answered questions
$36.98
  • Scarlet-red young foliage and blue-green mature foliage
  • Matures to 3-4' wide by 3-4' tall
  • Hardy in USDA Zones 6 - 10
  • Plant in full sun to part shade
Pot size

Description

The Obsession™ Nandina from the Southern Living Plant Collection is a new and unusual variety of the classic Nandina domestica. The Obsession features unique scarlet-red young foliage and blue-green mature foliage. This gorgeous medley brings tremendous texture and color-appeal to any landscape or container garden all year long! This is because it's naturally evergreen, so it won't leave your landscape barren once winter rolls around.

It's particularly hardy in favorable landscapes and it has a naturally compact growth habit that doesn't require any extra pruning. Expect this shrub to max out at 3-4' H x 3-4' W. This is a welcome change from traditional nandinas that are known for getting tall and leggy.

It's great for usage as a medium-height accent, hedge, mass planting, or border plant, and will really shine when planted with contrasting colored plants.

Use it to soften hard edges in your landscape, whether that's at the base of a building or around a birdbath.

Due to its low-maintenance nature, consider using a bunch of them as a mass planting in a location you don't want to worry about maintaining, such as a slope.

Frequently Asked Questions:

"Is the Obsession Nandina Invasive?"

No! This is a sterile variety, therefore, it will not reseed in your environment and go wild.

"Does the Obsession Nandina Produce Toxic Berries?"

No! Because this plant is sterile, it isn't capable of producing the bright red toxic nandina berries that birds, unfortunately, often partake in.

Care Specifications

The Obsession Nandina is hardy from USDA Zones 6-10 and can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. However, we do recommend providing some overnight hard-freeze coverage during its first winter in your landscape.

It tolerates Full Sun and Partial Sun very well. Very hot areas, like USDA Zones 9 & 10, will likely have better luck in Partial Sun.

Water 2-3 times per week for the first growing season. Once established, you'll only need to water this shrub during times of extended drought.

Plant in well-drained average-quality garden soil.

Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote new growth.

How to Plant Obsession Nandinas

  1. First, determine the planting location(s) for your new plants.
  2. You'll need to dig a hole three times the width of your plant’s rootball and deep enough that the top of the plant’s root ball is level with or slightly above the native ground.
  3. Mix the soil you removed from the hole with a bag or two of rich garden soil or composted manure to provide additional nutrients for your growing plant.
    • If your soil is clay-rich, we recommend mixing pine bark in with your native soil at a ratio of about 1:1 to help improve the drainage and breathability of the soil.
  4. Place the plant in the hole and fill it back up with your soil mixture.
    • We also recommend applying 3-4 inches of wood mulch around the base of your plant to help it retain moisture.
  5. Give your new planting a healthy soaking with your hose to settle the dirt and hydrate the plant.

Planting tips for Acid Loving Plants

Popular Companion Plants

Try planting this Southern Living plant with brilliantly colored plants. The Everillo Carex is a fantastic contrast candidate that features long grass-like, bright yellow-green foliage that contrasts very well with the Obsession's upright, spade-shaped leaves. Another great choice is the Neverland Agapanthus. It features bright variegated foliage straps and lavender purple flower stalks that really pop with darker foliage.

Planting a sunny mixed garden bed? This variety accents beautifully with Sunshine Ligustrum. Feel free to let them both grow freely too. Throw in a few naturally rounded boxwoods, like the Baby Gem Boxwood, and you've got quite a low-maintenance garden display on your hands.

Southern Living Sizing Up Nandinas

Care & Use

Getting Started: Understanding Your New Plant

Review your plant's information on our website or the tag that comes with it. Be mindful of sunlight preferences, soil type, and spacing needs.

Our plants are adaptable but grow best in the correct USDA Zones. Click here to learn more about your USDA Zone.

Planting Instructions

Dig a Hole

First, dig a hole three times the width of the root ball of your plant. This makes it easier for the root system to spread out quickly. Dig the hole deep enough that your plant will sit level with or slightly above the ground around it.

Amend Your Soil

Mix your native soil with rich gardening soil to provide extra nutrients and support plant growth. If your soil is clay-heavy, we recommend mixing your native clay soil with equal parts of Pine Bark mulch to improve drainage and the overall breathability of your soil.

Place Your Plant

Examine the roots. If they appear tightly bound, gently coax them apart; this ensures they can spread into the new soil. Place your plant in the hole so the top of the rootball is even with the surrounding soil—Backfill around it with the amended soil mixture. The roots need access to oxygen for your plant to thrive, so do not cover the rootball; place soil around it.

Mulch Your Plants

Top the soil beneath your plant with 3-4 inches of mulch to help it retain moisture. Be careful not to cover the rootball - your new plants roots need access to oxygen.

Water Your Plant

Soak the plant with a hose afterward to hydrate the plant, as well as get the soil and mulch situated. Develop a regular watering schedule based on your plant's needs and local weather patterns. Remember, over watering is just as, if not more, harmful than under watering.

Spacing Recommendations

Space Your Obsession Nandina 2 feet apart for a seamless planting. Otherwise, plant them 5+ feet apart to leave space between shrubs.

  • Scientific Name
    Nandina domestica 'Seika' PP21891
  • Hardiness Zone
    6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • Sun Exposure
    Part Sun to Part Shade
  • Evergreen or Deciduous
    Evergreen
  • Features
    Disease Tolerant, Dwarf, Winter / Fall Foliage Color, Variegated
  • Feature Color
    Green, Red
  • Uses
    Border, Container, Foundation Planting, Mass Planting
  • Water Needs
    Medium
  • Bloom Season
    None

Growing Zones : 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

Map of USDA Zones 6-10
Southern Living Plant Collection Nandinas planted in a container with heucherella in front of a fireplace

Southern Living Plants

A collection of shrubs, trees, and perennials selected by plant experts to thrive in the heat of the South. Find traditional varieties like camellias mixed with new landscape favorites like agapanthus. These varieties have been bred to tackle landscape challenges specific to the region.

2.5 Quart Obsession Nandina for sale in a brown Southern Living Plants container on a white background
Southern Living Plant Collection

Obsession Nandina

From $19.99

The Obsession™ Nandina from the Southern Living Plant Collection is a new and unusual variety of the classic Nandina domestica. The Obsession features unique scarlet-red young foliage and blue-green mature foliage. This gorgeous medley brings tremendous texture and color-appeal to any landscape or container garden all year long! This is because it's naturally evergreen, so it won't leave your landscape barren once winter rolls around.

It's particularly hardy in favorable landscapes and it has a naturally compact growth habit that doesn't require any extra pruning. Expect this shrub to max out at 3-4' H x 3-4' W. This is a welcome change from traditional nandinas that are known for getting tall and leggy.

It's great for usage as a medium-height accent, hedge, mass planting, or border plant, and will really shine when planted with contrasting colored plants.

Use it to soften hard edges in your landscape, whether that's at the base of a building or around a birdbath.

Due to its low-maintenance nature, consider using a bunch of them as a mass planting in a location you don't want to worry about maintaining, such as a slope.

Frequently Asked Questions:

"Is the Obsession Nandina Invasive?"

No! This is a sterile variety, therefore, it will not reseed in your environment and go wild.

"Does the Obsession Nandina Produce Toxic Berries?"

No! Because this plant is sterile, it isn't capable of producing the bright red toxic nandina berries that birds, unfortunately, often partake in.

Care Specifications

The Obsession Nandina is hardy from USDA Zones 6-10 and can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. However, we do recommend providing some overnight hard-freeze coverage during its first winter in your landscape.

It tolerates Full Sun and Partial Sun very well. Very hot areas, like USDA Zones 9 & 10, will likely have better luck in Partial Sun.

Water 2-3 times per week for the first growing season. Once established, you'll only need to water this shrub during times of extended drought.

Plant in well-drained average-quality garden soil.

Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote new growth.

How to Plant Obsession Nandinas

  1. First, determine the planting location(s) for your new plants.
  2. You'll need to dig a hole three times the width of your plant’s rootball and deep enough that the top of the plant’s root ball is level with or slightly above the native ground.
  3. Mix the soil you removed from the hole with a bag or two of rich garden soil or composted manure to provide additional nutrients for your growing plant.
    • If your soil is clay-rich, we recommend mixing pine bark in with your native soil at a ratio of about 1:1 to help improve the drainage and breathability of the soil.
  4. Place the plant in the hole and fill it back up with your soil mixture.
    • We also recommend applying 3-4 inches of wood mulch around the base of your plant to help it retain moisture.
  5. Give your new planting a healthy soaking with your hose to settle the dirt and hydrate the plant.

Planting tips for Acid Loving Plants

Popular Companion Plants

Try planting this Southern Living plant with brilliantly colored plants. The Everillo Carex is a fantastic contrast candidate that features long grass-like, bright yellow-green foliage that contrasts very well with the Obsession's upright, spade-shaped leaves. Another great choice is the Neverland Agapanthus. It features bright variegated foliage straps and lavender purple flower stalks that really pop with darker foliage.

Planting a sunny mixed garden bed? This variety accents beautifully with Sunshine Ligustrum. Feel free to let them both grow freely too. Throw in a few naturally rounded boxwoods, like the Baby Gem Boxwood, and you've got quite a low-maintenance garden display on your hands.

Southern Living Sizing Up Nandinas

Pot size

  • 2.5 Quart
  • 1.5 Gallon
View product