A compact evergreen with fine, bamboo like leaves that change colour through the year.
'Gulf Stream' is one of the neatest heavenly bamboos. New leaves open coppery red in spring, settle to a blue green through summer, then turn vivid orange and red through autumn and winter. It builds a dense, upright, bushy plant of about 80 to 100cm tall and 60 to 80cm across, which suits a mixed border, a low informal hedge, planting against a house wall or a container on a patio or terrace.
It is hardy in most of Britain, though cold drying wind can brown the leaf edges and the winter colour is much better in a sunny spot, so choose somewhere reasonably sheltered with good light. Small panicles of white flowers may appear in summer. Compact forms such as this one rarely set berries. It needs almost no pruning, just a light trim in spring if it needs shaping, and a mulch to keep the roots cool and moist. Nandina berries contain cyanogenic compounds and are poisonous to cats, dogs, birds and grazing animals.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Heavenly bamboo
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 80 to 100cm tall by 60 to 80cm wide
A compact evergreen with fine, bamboo like leaves that change colour through the year.
'Gulf Stream' is one of the neatest heavenly bamboos. New leaves open coppery red in spring, settle to a blue green through summer, then turn vivid orange and red through autumn and winter. It builds a dense, upright, bushy plant of about 80 to 100cm tall and 60 to 80cm across, which suits a mixed border, a low informal hedge, planting against a house wall or a container on a patio or terrace.
It is hardy in most of Britain, though cold drying wind can brown the leaf edges and the winter colour is much better in a sunny spot, so choose somewhere reasonably sheltered with good light. Small panicles of white flowers may appear in summer. Compact forms such as this one rarely set berries. It needs almost no pruning, just a light trim in spring if it needs shaping, and a mulch to keep the roots cool and moist. Nandina berries contain cyanogenic compounds and are poisonous to cats, dogs, birds and grazing animals.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Heavenly bamboo
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 80 to 100cm tall by 60 to 80cm wide
Foliage: Lance shaped leaves, coppery red in spring, blue green in summer, orange and red in autumn and winter
Flowering Time: Summer, small white panicles; compact forms such as this rarely berry
Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade, sheltered from cold drying wind, and happy in a container
Soil Type: Moist but well drained; it takes most soils
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Maintenance: Low. Trim lightly in spring only if needed
Seasonal Interest: Spring, summer, autumn and winter
Type: Evergreen shrub
Delivery & Returns
Free UK Delivery on Every Order
All orders placed Monday–Thursday before 2pm are packed the next working day and delivered within 24 hours of dispatch.
Example: Order on Monday → packed Tuesday → delivered Wednesday.
Orders placed Friday–Sunday are packed and shipped on Monday. We don't dispatch on weekends to ensure your plants travel fresh.
How Your Plants Arrive Every plant is individually wrapped in our plastic-free packaging and secured in a custom box designed to keep them upright and protected in transit. If anything arrives damaged, get in touch — we'll replace it.
Returns Not happy? Contact us within 14 days of delivery and we'll sort it out. See our full returns policy here.