'Alba' is a cultivar of heavenly bamboo, a drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). The cultivar name is Latin for “white” and describes the color of the fruits. The principal difference between this cultivar and others is the color of the fruit, which is white rather than bright orange-red. The plant can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth. Like all heavenly bamboo, ‘Alba’ may develop suckers and form colonies of upright stem. 'Alba' is slightly larger than the wild-type heavenly bamboo and is noted for large clusters of cream-colored berries. 'Alba' has winter foliage that is bright gold and lacks the red winter color typically seen in other heavenly bamboo cultivars. The berries do better with some afternoon shade to prevent burning. The leaves and berries may be toxic to humans, livestock, horses, cats, dogs, and birds such as Cedar Waxwings, which can ingest too many berries in one feeding session. All parts contain cyanide and when consumed in quantity can be toxic. 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.
Similar, less problematicNandina domestica 'Fire Power'Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'
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 | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green foliage lacks red tinge of other nandinas. Winter foliage is a bright yellow-green.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
White flowers in spring that grow on erect terminal panicles between 10-12 inches long.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Cream/Tan; White
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Cream-white to creamy yellow berries that can persist into the 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.
Attracts
Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Pond; Pool/Hardscape; Walkways
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Rock Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Hedge; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #deer resistant #shrub #drought tolerant #poisonous #showy fruits #poisonous fruits #gold leaves #problem for dogs #problem for cats #problem for cattle #problem for children #problem for horses
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Cottony Cushion Scale
Problems
Invasive Species; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses; Weedy
Resistant to
Deer; Drought; Pollution; Poor Soil
Propagation
Root Cutting
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