Nandina domestica Harbor Belle ('Jay Tee') from Greenleaf Nursery Co. is an extremely dense, dwarf form that reaches only 18 inches tall. This trademarked variety is evergreen, produces red berries and spreads well in most soils and conditions.

Shiny, green leaflets are tinged with red, and the plant makes an excellent small shrub or groundcover. It's hardy to Zone 6 and will grow in sun or shade. It has no major disease or insect problems.

Sienna Sunrise

N. domestica Sienna Sunrise ('Monfar') from Monrovia Growers is a trademarked variety with intense, fiery-red new foliage that ages to a cool, lush green. It's very compact, rarely produces flowers and has never been seen to set berries.

It grows in full sun but tolerates some shade. Average moisture is required and it needs fertile soils, but it's an otherwise trouble-free plant. It's cold hardy in Zones 6-11 and withstands AHS Zones 4-12. It does well in containers or planted singly or in masses in the landscape.

. © 2003 Branch-Smith Publishing