NANDINA FIREPOWER - THE PRESS PLANT OF THE MONTH MAY 2008

As the grey skies and colder weather approach, there is one plant that is sure to truly light up the garden.  Commonly known as heavenly bamboo, Nandina Firepower is an evergreen and compact dwarf.  Its non-invasive, bamboo like foliage has pale lime green and yellow summer leaves, which in turn flaming red in autumn, and retain these shades throughout winter.

This nicely rounded bush makes a lovely border for walkways and driveways.  In an expansive garden nandina can be planted in clusters for effect, but in a small garden or courtyard, a single specimen makes an excellent focal point.  Where space is a premium, put one plant in a container.  It won't mind at all.  Loving areas that receive full sun to partial sun and requiring little maintenance, this hardy plant grows to 60 cm by 60 cm.  Nandina Firepower is available at most garden centres. 

The Press Gardening has five Nandina Firepower plants to give away.  To be in the draw, write your name and address on the back of a card or envelope and send it to Nandina Giveaway, Press Gardening, PO Box 1005, Christchurch, to arrive no later that noon on Wednesday 28th May 2008.  The winner's names will be published in the Gardening pages next Saturday and the plants sent to them.

The Press May 2008

Congratulations to Fay Caldwell, Roly Parsons, Stella Trower, Leo Forde and Isabella Van Waekam, who each won a Gardening Solutionz Nandina Firepower by entering our competition.