How to Prune Gulf Stream Nandina

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Gulf Stream is a dwarf variety of nandina, an evergreen shrub also known as heavenly bamboo. Gulf Stream is prized by gardeners requiring a shot of color in the garden as it bears bronze foliage in the spring, turning green for summer and then red in the fall. Growing to 3 feet tall with an equal spread, Gulf Stream is best for gardeners who live in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 11. Nandina has a tendency to become bare at the bottom, which can be remedied with strategic pruning.

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Step 1

Remove dead and spindly stems back to a large branch or to the soil.

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Step 2

Remove up to half of the growth at the bottom of the Gulf Stream nandina to encourage the shrub to grow fuller. Cut this growth off at the soil.

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Step 3

Renovate the neglected Dwarf Stream nandina by cutting the entire plant back to one-third its size. Cut the stems to different lengths, to give the Gulf Stream nandina a natural look.

Step 4

Fertilize the nandina with a 10-30-10 fertilizer after pruning. Apply the amount suggested on the label and water as you normally do.

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