Nandina Domestica 'Moon Bay'

Moon Bay Heavenly Bamboo / Moon Bay Sacred Bamboo

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

Overview

A compact, colour-shifting nandina that performs brilliantly in Adelaide and South Australian gardens. ‘Moon Bay’ forms a naturally tight, rounded mound with pink–red new growth that settles to fresh green in summer, then turns fiery red–burgundy in autumn and winter. Low-maintenance, water-wise once established, and perfect for borders, pots and neat low hedges where year-round foliage colour matters.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.0 m H × 0.6–1.0 m W (dense, compact habit)
• Growth Rate: 20-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Fine, glossy leaflets with pink/red new growth → mid-green in summer → rich red/burgundy in the cooler months; occasional soft bronze tints in cold snaps
• Flowers: Small white panicles in late spring–early summer; typically light on this cultivar (berries uncommon)
  
• Seasonal Interest: Four-season foliage show—spring flush, fresh summer green, autumn berries (occasional) and winter foliage fire
• Wildlife Value: Limited pollinator value (occasional bees on spring flowers); fruiting is usually sparse, so little bird interest
• Tolerance: Drought-Tolerant (once established), Heat-Tolerant, Frost Hardy (light–moderate), Wind-Tolerant; Coastal-Tolerant in sheltered inner-coastal sites; Clay-Tolerant if well-drained
• Planting Density: Low hedge/edging: 3–4 plants per metre (25–35 cm apart). Mass planting: 3–4 plants/m² for a full carpet
• Pet Friendly: Toxic if ingested (leaves/any berries contain cyanogenic compounds); discourage chewing and dispose of prunings

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best colour in more sun)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or 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

• Low, colourful hedge/edging for paths and courtyards in Adelaide—neat year-round without heavy clipping
• Statement containers at entries and on patios—pair with dark pots or purple foliage for contrast
• Massed drifts through Mediterranean borders to weave a winter-red ribbon of colour

Why You Will Love It

‘Moon Bay’ brings reliable, low-fuss colour to South Australian gardens—multiple pink flushes in the growing season and rich winter reds on a compact, tidy shrub. It thrives in Adelaide’s climate, needs little pruning, and fits perfectly where you want a polished, evergreen finish without the size of taller hedges.