Plant Calculator
Enter the approximate length and width of the area you will be planting and click 'Calculate' to determine how many Nandina domestica 'Gulf stream' you will need.
*Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions.
Nandina domestica 'Gulf stream'
Nandina, Gulf stream
- Colorful foliage
- Minimal fruit
- Compact form
- Category: Trees & Shrubs
- Hardiness Zone: 6a
- Height: 3-4 Feet
- Spread: 3-4 Feet
- Spacing: 30-36 in
Gulf Stream Nandina is a compact, colorful selection of Heavenly Bamboo prized for its vibrant foliage and restrained growth habit. Unlike older standard nandina varieties that produce heavy berry crops and may reseed freely, ‘Gulf Stream’ is known for minimal fruit production and a more controlled, clumping form. It is grown primarily for foliage color rather than berries, making it a more landscape-friendly choice for Texas properties where invasive spread is a concern.
This evergreen shrub thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts well to a variety of Texas soils, including moderately alkaline conditions common in Central Texas. It benefits from some afternoon shade in hotter zones to prevent summer stress. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant but performs best with occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Mature size typically reaches 3–4 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide with a dense, upright-mounded form. Space plants 30–36 inches apart for mass plantings. As with all nandinas, berries (when present) are considered toxic if consumed in large quantities, though fruiting on this cultivar is generally limited.
‘Gulf Stream’ is especially valued for its dynamic foliage color. New growth emerges bright copper-orange, transitions to deep green in summer, and then develops rich red and burgundy tones in fall and winter. It works well in foundation plantings, commercial borders, entry accents, and mass plantings where consistent color and tidy structure are desired without aggressive suckering.