Obsession Nandina

The Obsession Nandina is a bold, compact evergreen shrub that brings rich color, texture, and year-round structure to the landscape. Part of the Southern Living Plant Collection, this improved Nandina domestica variety is prized for its brilliant new growth, refined habit, and dependable performance in garden beds, borders, low hedges, foundation plantings, and containers.

Also known as Nandina Obsession, this colorful shrub produces striking, fiery red foliage on new growth that matures to a handsome blue-green. The contrast between fresh red leaves and mature evergreen foliage creates a layered, dynamic look that changes throughout the seasons. Cooler weather can intensify the red tones, giving this plant even more visual impact in fall and winter.

With an Obsession Nandina size of approximately 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, this variety is compact enough for residential landscapes while still offering enough presence for a colorful nandina hedge or foundation planting. Its upright, dense habit gives it a polished shape without the leggy growth associated with older heavenly bamboo varieties.

Unlike traditional nandinas, Obsession Nandina is a sterile, non-invasive selection that does not reseed in the landscape. That makes it a more responsible choice for gardeners who want the color and toughness of nandina without the concerns associated with berry-producing varieties.

Use Obsession as a dwarf shrub for low hedges, mass plantings, containers, garden borders, or foundation beds. Its fiery foliage pairs beautifully with yellow-green shrubs, dark evergreens, ornamental grasses, abelias, and other Southern Living Plants for a layered, high-contrast landscape that looks good all year.

Popular Companion Plants

Try planting this Southern Living plant with brilliantly colored plants. The Everillo Carex is a fantastic contrast candidate that features long grass-like, bright yellow-green foliage that contrasts very well with the Obsession's upright, spade-shaped leaves. Another great choice is the Neverland Agapanthus. It features bright variegated foliage straps and lavender purple flower stalks that really pop with darker foliage.

Planting a sunny mixed garden bed? This variety accents beautifully with Sunshine Ligustrum. Feel free to let them both grow freely too. Throw in a few naturally rounded boxwoods, like the Baby Gem Boxwood, and you've got quite a low-maintenance garden display on your hands.

Southern Living Sizing Up Nandinas