Plant of the week: Heavenly bamboo
NADINA DOMESTICA “Firepower” is an evergreen shrub (not a bamboo in any respect) that packs a stunning variety of effects right into a year. Fiery red with hints of purple in autumn, it fades over winter after which, in spring, the brand new growth is a stunning shade of coppery red.
This reverts to deep green just in time to trigger the gigantic, conical clusters of star-shaped white flowers in July, followed by a small show of red berries. All this from a neat shrub that grows lower than four feet high and perhaps three feet across making it ideal for smaller gardens. It likes full sun, a sheltered position and well-drained soil.