Sacred bamboo 'Twilight' (Nandina domestica) - evergreen shrub with colourful foliage - 17 cm pot - Height 45 cm

Despite its common name "sacred bamboo", the Nandina domestica 'Twilight' does not belong to the bamboo family (grasses) at all. It is actually a shrub from the Berberidaceae family, native to East Asia (China, Japan). Its nickname comes from the superficial resemblance of its upright stems and pinnate leaves to those of bamboo. In Asia, this plant is considered a lucky charm and a symbol of longevity in traditional Japanese gardens.

The 'Twilight' sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica) is a hardy shrub that can withstand temperatures down to around -15°C when planted in the ground, making it suitable for almost all of France, including regions with cold winters. Its foliage is evergreen but may be partially lost during severe, prolonged frosts before vigorously regrowing in spring. In a pot, the root ball is more exposed to the cold: as a precaution, insulate the container with horticultural fleece or felt during extreme cold weather.

Sacred bamboo 'Twilight' a'dapts to a wide range of 'exposure conditions, from full sun to 'partial shade, making it a very versatile plant for the garden. H'owever, it is in full sun or sunny partial shade that the pink, red, and orange variegated colors are the most flamboyant and contrasting. In 'shade, the foliage tends to remain greener and the color effects are less pronounced, although the plant remains decorative. For optimal results, an east-west exposure with 4 to 6 hours of 'direct sunlight is ideal.

Sacred bamboo 'Twilight' is perfectly suited for growing in pots on a balcony or terrace thanks to its moderate growth and compact shape. Choose a container d'at least 30 to 40 cm in diameter with good drainage holes, and fill it w'ith a mix of multipurpose potting soil and d'clay pellets or coarse sand to ensure effective drainage. Plant it without'burying the crown, then water thoroughly at planting.

The 'Twilight' sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica) is an evergreenshrub: it retains the vast majority of its leaves throughout the winter under normal conditions. It is even in winter that its foliage takes on its most spectacular hues, turning bright red and burnt orange under the effect of the cold and low-angled light. In regions with very harsh winters (below -12 to -15 °C for prolonged periods), partial leaf drop is possible, but the plant regrows vigorously in spring from the base of the stems.

Sacred bamboo 'Twilight' pairs perfectly with plants of contrasting textures and forms to create a dynamic and interesting border throughout the 'year. In the foreground, ornamental grasses such as blue fescues or miscanthus highlight its cut foliage. Hellebores and hostas provide a beautiful complement in 'shade or partial shade. For sunny borders, 'pairing it with photinias with juvenile red foliage or variegated pittosporums creates a highly successful interplay of hues.

The size of the sacred bamboo 'Twilight' (Nandina domestica) is not essential for the plant's health, as it naturally grows in an orderly and compact manner. If you wish to intervene, the best time is late winter or early spring, between March and April, once the risk of hard frosts has passed. Remove the oldest and most woody stems at the base first, as this stem renewal technique promotes the growth of vigorous and colorful new shoots.