Nandina Domestica 'Magical Daybreak'

Magical Daybreak Heavenly Bamboo / Magical Daybreak Sacred Bamboo

Botanical Name: Nandina domestica 'Magical Daybreak'
Family: Berberidaceae
Origin: East Asia (China, Japan)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

A compact, variegated nandina made for Adelaide and South Australian gardens. ‘Magical Daybreak’ pushes luminous lemon-gold to lime foliage with creamy variegation, flushing soft pink/coral on new growth and deepening to orange-red/burgundy in the cooler months. It stays naturally tidy, needs little pruning, and brightens borders, courtyards and containers all year.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.0 m H × 0.6–1.0 m W (dense, compact mound)
• Growth Rate: 20-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Variegated lemon-gold → fresh mid-green; new shoots pink/coral; autumn–winter orange/red/burgundy tints; fine, lacy texture
• Flowers: Small white panicles in late spring–early summer; usually sparse on this selection (berries uncommon)
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round colour—spring pink flush → summer lime/green glow → autumn–winter warm reds
• Wildlife Value: Limited pollinator interest (occasional bees on spring flowers)
• Tolerance: Drought-Tolerant (once established), Heat-Tolerant, Frost Hardy (light–moderate), Wind-Tolerant, Coastal-Tolerant (sheltered), Clay-Tolerant if well-drained
• Planting Density: Low hedge/edging: 3–4 plants per metre (25–35 cm apart). Mass: 3–4 plants/m²
• Pet Friendly: Toxic if ingested (leaves/any berries contain cyanogenic compounds); discourage chewing and bin prunings

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best colour with good light)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Cane-prune every 2–3 years (remove a few oldest stems at ground level); light clip after spring flush if shaping; mulch in spring; balanced feed in early spring
• Lifespan: 20-30+ years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate & Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal Adelaide (sheltered)
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral ideal with good drainage

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Bright edging/low hedge to lift paths and courtyards in Adelaide without heavy clipping
• Statement containers at entries—use dark pots to make the variegation glow
• Massed drifts through Mediterranean borders to create a year-round ribbon of lime and winter reds

Why You Will Love It

‘Magical Daybreak’ delivers instant brightness and four-season colour with almost no fuss—perfect for South Australian water-wise gardens. Compact, reliable and easy to shape, it keeps borders and pots looking polished in Adelaide’s climate while avoiding the heavy pruning many hedges need.