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.
No! This is a sterile variety, therefore, it will not reseed in your environment and go wild.
No! Because this plant is sterile, it isn’t capable of producing the bright red toxic nandina berries that birds, unfortunately, often partake in.
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.
Planting tips for Acid Loving Plants
Space Your Obsession Nandina 2 feet apart for a seamless planting. Otherwise, plant them 5+ feet apart to leave space between shrubs.
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.
We love our plants and we know you will too! We carefully select healthy specimens that are well-matured into their pots and ready to thrive in your landscape. If you’re unsatisfied with your plants upon arrival, give us a call at 1-866-618-5659 or send us an email at [email protected]. We’ll be happy to do whatever we can to make it right.
Christy Stovall (verified owner) –
I love all my plants bought from Plants by Mail. They are by far the best I have ever order in the mail. In some cases better quality than even at a local nursery.
Bobby Flowers (verified owner) –
Plants were very good. Customer was very please with the plants i used in their landscape. Will order again.
Irene R. (verified owner) –
My plant (Nandina Obsession) arrived in great condition. It was packaged very well, and arrived about 4-5 days after I ordered it. I wasn’t able to plant it for 3 days, but kept it watered until I could plant it. It’s looking great. I would order from Plantsbymail again.
doris murphy –
one of my nardina plants has died.i. am replacing it so i have matching plants. hopefully i will have better luck this time.
Bobby Flowers (verified owner) –
Plants were package well. They were very healthy on arrival. Will used them again.
Arlene –
Prompt shipping. Excellent plant condition
Jeanne K. (verified owner) –
I ordered 2 nandina obsession and the plants arrived the day after shipping looking healthy and in excellent condition. Very pleased with my first order from Plantsbymail.
BG Wilson (verified owner) –
These plants arrived in great shape and looking beautiful. some dirt had been thrown to the bottom of the boxes they were packed in but we added potting soil around the tops along with water. they are planted and thriving
Sandy Samskey (verified owner) –
Arrived looking great. Very pleased
Mary Parrish (verified owner) –
Arrived with dead stems. Easily 1/2 the size of the other 2 gallon Nandini. It is planted and I’m hoping it will recover. Customer service informs me that from the picture I sent the plant is healthy and full sized. Very disappointed.
Karen S (verified owner) –
Arrived in great condition even in heat. Planted and are growing nicely.
Bob O. (verified owner) –
The plants arrived earlier then projected. They were packaged very well and were in great condition. I planted them the day that they arrived and seem to be doing very well.
sweetrock5 (verified owner) –
Beautiful plant, great size (I got the 2 gallon), packaged well with no damage. New growth present so it already has it’s reddish color on top. Such a stunning shrub, love it!
otterear (verified owner) –
Very happy with size and health of plants. I was very lucky as one of the boxes lost the tape and plants fell out during shipping. UPS placed the plants back in and re-taped it shut.
Kellie Ziegler (verified owner) –
Very fast shipping, well packaged. Impressed with my first plantsbymail delivery!!
Mark Loop (verified owner) –
Nicely developed plants with lovely colors. Shipped with care and planted with care. Very fair pricing. Happy, happy!
Lori –
I purchased 2 Coppertop Viburnums 3 gal size and received the most glorious perfect shrubs . I am so happy with them and love this site. Highly recommend and good pricing
Jimmy Vance (verified owner) –
I placed my order and received beautiful, healthy plants 2 days later. The entire experience could not have been better or more convenient. It certainly beats fighting the crowds at local big box stores and nurseries. The prices are also very comparable. My only regret is having to wait for out of stock plants to be back in stock. I guess I’m not the only person who has discovered this fantastic company and their great customer service. I have their website saved on my favorites list and browse it almost daily. I love everything about this company.
Team PBM –
Thank you so much for your kindness. We are very glad you found us as well. Many blessings to you today.
–Christy
Cartwright (verified owner) –
I was very pleased with the great condition of all the plants, as well as the quick shipping. I am waiting to order some ferns but they have been out of stock for a while. Hoping I’ll be able to get these and review them too.
Kathy (verified owner) –
I ordered 6 Obsession Nandinas. Two of the plants had spilled from their containers on arrival. Luckily, the packaging held the soil around the plants somewhat and they were still moist. They are planted and all of them are showing new growth. They are very healthy.
Pam Begin (verified owner) –
I love the plant and the efficient way you handle orders and the great shopping box. Have planted mine for the first time this year. Great company to work with
Travis (verified owner) –
Plant showed up in great condition! Plants by mail is the place to go if it’s hard to find in your local nursery.
JB (verified owner) –
I’ve been disappointed by other online plant centers and was skeptical. I was very pleased with how the plant was packaged, quick shipment, and the overall condition of the plant. Nice size. Will definitely order from you again.
cdrew16 (verified owner) –
Plants arrived promptly and in good condition. Very attractive plant
Carlos Garcia (verified owner) –
My obsession nandinas arrived perfect. Very beautiful plants. Plants by Mail is easy and convenient.
Katie Bulger (verified owner) –
Beautiful healthy plants that were delivered quickly! Love them!
Stefanie (verified owner) –
I ordered 4 of these, along with 4 gardenias and 3 nandina lemon limes. 3 of these arrived in good shape however 1 was significantly smaller and looked like the middle section was dead. Chunk missing and surrounding foliage looked dead. Outer foliage looked good though. I was not thrilled however was on a timeline with my landscaping project so went ahead and planted them. To my surprise, the one in question has seemed to fill in with new red foliage in the middle. While smaller than the others it is looking like it will survive well.
Cheryl B (verified owner) –
All the plants (not just this one) that we have purchased through Plants by Mail have been exceptional quality and delivered very quickly! Have ordered several times through this site.
Janet Newman (verified owner) –
This site has become a real favorite especially since we are shut out of local nurseries. My most recent order of Flirt and Obsession nadinas came perfectly packed as did the Endless Summer Bloom Struck hydrangeas heavy with flowers. I love free shipping when I spend $99. It’s too easy!
sleeb5 (verified owner) –
Obsession nandina looks great and am excited to plant it!
Cynthia Czornohus –
I was looking for something with striking fall color to place around my front door. I was incredibly pleased from the time I opened the boxes. They were very well packaged and I am happy to say that they look wonderful in their new containers by the front entrance! Thank you so very much!
Sharon C. –
Plants are healthy. Ordering by mail gave me a few days to get the area “ready to receive.” Healthy & Happy in their new home. With a plant “not yet” avail @ my local garden centers. Win. Win.
Richard D Mc Cabe –
I was impressed by the rapid delivery and good condition of the plant when it arrived. It also looked exactly like the picture.
lj ritchey –
I have the “nandina heavenly bamboo”, then purchased the ” Obsession”@ a local nursery last year. I wanted another but could not find it locally. I found your site online & was thrilled. I purchased the 1 gallon size. It arrived very quickly in excellent condition. I will definitely keep this site for future purchases!
Anonymous –
Great specimens. Very healthy plants.