‘Murasaki’ nandina is a drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). ‘Murasaki’ is commonly sold under the trade name Flirt™. “Murasaki” is the Japanese word for “purple” and describes the color of new growth. Flirt nandina has low to moderate water needs once established. It spreads readily by suckers. The plant can be pruned in late winter. Flirt nandina is prized for holding its wine-red foliage color for most of the year on dwarf, compact plants, up to 2 feet tall. The mature foliage color is dark green with a bluish blush. Flirt nandina rarely flowers or fruits. The leaves and berries can be toxic, if consumed in quantity. The sterile cultivars are much less problematic and are much less likely to escape. The plant works well in mass planting, borders and foundation planting. Consider using it in a cottage, Asian, or winter garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious diseases or insect pests. 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.
Often confused withNandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'Nandina domestica 'Harbour Dwarf'
Fills a similar nicheCordyline fruticosaNandina domestica 'Fire Power'Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
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)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Mounding; Multi-stemmed
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves emerge wine-red and slowly mature to green with a bluish blush.
Flower color
White
Flower detail
Flowers are rarely produced.
Fruit color
Orange
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are rarely produced.
Bark color
Light Brown
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#problem for dogs #showy leaves #evergreen shrub #winter color purple #red leaves #drought tolerant #problem for cats #poisonous if ingested #dwarf #problem for cattle #problem for children #problem for horses #winter interest #purple leaves #evergreen
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Cottony Cushion Scale
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer; Diseases; Rabbits
Propagation
Division
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, and horses. Weakness, 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