Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo | Red-Winter Color Evergreen Shrub

Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo

1 Gallon

$19.90

1/3

Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo

Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stre‘

A symmetrical, upright Nandina with year-round color from red-bronze new growth to fiery winter foliage.

$19.90

24-hour Money-back Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo is a popular and highly ornamental selection of Nandina, prized for its exceptional year-round color and naturally symmetrical, upright form. This compact shrub features fine-textured, bamboo-like foliage that emerges in brilliant shades of red and bronze, matures to a unique blue-green, and transforms in autumn and winter to a stunning display of fiery reds and oranges. Its dense, multi-stemmed growth habit creates a full, tidy mound that requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape. Tough, adaptable, and low-maintenance, it is a versatile workhorse for adding reliable color and structure to foundations, hedges, borders, and containers.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Fine-textured, compound leaves with lance-shaped leaflets; new growth emerges brilliant red to bronze, matures to distinctive blue-green in summer, and turns fiery red to orange-red in fall and winter; occasional small white flowers in spring, followed by red berries
Mature Height: 3-4 ft
Mature Spread: 3-4 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 6-11; Sunset 4-24, H1, H2
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade; best color in full sun
Core Benefits: Striking year-round foliage color, naturally symmetrical upright habit, deer resistant, drought tolerant, low maintenance, ornamental berries
Best Uses: Low hedges, foundation plantings, borders, mass plantings, containers, small gardens, year-round color accents

Q: How does 'Gulf Stream' differ from other popular Nandina cultivars?
A: 'Gulf Stream' is distinguished by its naturally symmetrical, upright habit (3-4 ft) and unique blue-green summer foliage that transitions to fiery red in winter. Compared to 'Moon Bay' (more mounding, lime-green new growth) and 'Nana Purpurea' (purple-tinged foliage), 'Gulf Stream' offers a more formal, upright structure and a distinct blue-green summer color phase .

Q: How much sun does it need for the best winter color?
A: For the most intense red winter coloration, plant 'Gulf Stream' in full sun. In shadier locations, the foliage will be predominantly green with less dramatic seasonal change .

Q: How should I prune it to maintain its shape?
A: 'Gulf Stream' requires minimal pruning due to its naturally symmetrical form. If needed, prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or wayward stems. To rejuvenate an older plant, cut a few of the oldest stems to the ground to encourage fresh new growth .

Q: Is it considered invasive?
A: While standard Nandina can be invasive in some regions due to seed spread, 'Gulf Stream' is a cultivated variety that produces fewer berries than the species, reducing its invasive potential. However, it may still produce some berries and self-seed occasionally in ideal conditions .

Q: Are the berries and foliage toxic?
A: Yes, all parts of Nandina contain cyanogenic glycosides and are considered toxic if ingested in large quantities. The berries, in particular, pose a risk to birds and pets. Plant with caution where pets or small children may be tempted to eat them .