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.
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!!