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 feet tall and wide. 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
- First, determine the planting location(s) for your new plants.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Give your new planting a healthy soaking with your hose to settle the dirt and hydrate the plant.
Planting tips for Acid Loving Plants
Spacing Your Plants
Space Your Obsession Nandina 2 feet apart for a seamless planting. Otherwise, plant them 5+ feet apart to leave space between shrubs.
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.
Why Buy Obsession Nandina Plants Online from PlantsbyMail.com?
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.
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.
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.