'Woods Dwarf' nandina is a drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). 'Woods Dwarf' is upright with larger, flatter and less distorted foliage than most dwarf cultivars. Its bright red winter color. The flowers and fruit are sparse, or sometimes absent altogether, on this cultivar. 'Woods Dwarf' has low to moderate water needs once established. It spreads readily by suckers. The plant can be pruned in late winter. The leaves and berries can be toxic, if consumed in quantity. ‘Wood’s Dwarf’ rarely bears fruits. The sterile cultivars are much less problematic and are much less likely to escape. The plant works well in mass planting, borders and foundation planting. Consider using it in a cottage, Asian, or winter garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious diseases or insect pests. More information on Nandina domestica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheIlex x meserveaeIllicium floridanumNandina domestica 'Harbour Dwarf'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Poisonous; Shrub; Weed
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are pinate to 3-pinate, with lance-shaped leaflets.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Conical panicles to 16 inches long, of small star-shaped, white flowers with large, yellow anthers.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Orange-red small berries persist into winter.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Leaves and berries are toxic to livestock and other domestic animals, this plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer. Berries contain cyanide and when consumed in quantity can be toxic to birds.
Invasive Species; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer; Drought
Propagation
Division
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Fruits; Leaves; Stems
Poison symptoms
Hydrogen cyanide is highly poisonous if ingested in quantity. All parts are toxic to humans, cats, dogs, livestock, horses, and birds such as the Cedar Waxwing. Weakness, incoordination, seizures, coma, respiratory failure, and death can occur from ingestion.
Toxic principle
Cyanogenic glycosides
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Fruits; Leaves; Stems