Blush Pink™ Nandina Shrub

Blush Pink™ Nandina is a compact evergreen selection of Nandina domestica (‘AKA’, PP19916), grown for blush-pink young foliage that matures to green and deepens to red in winter. At about 2 feet tall with a listed spread of 1.5–2 feet, it suits low hedges, mass plantings, borders, and containers; [Southern Living Plants](https://southernlivingplants.com/the-collection/plant/blush-pink-nandina/) rates it for USDA zones 6a–10b and part shade to shade. ## Garden Use The plant’s small, dense form works near foundations, along a border, or in a container where its changing foliage can be seen close up. The Southern Living profile also suggests using it in a row as a low hedge or grouping several as a mass planting. It is evergreen, so it can contribute foliage interest through winter as well as the growing season. ## Growing Notes Southern Living lists medium water needs and well-drained soil. Its planting advice is to water the root ball before planting, water deeply to settle the soil, and apply a shallow mulch layer without piling it against the stems. The patent describes slow growth, an upright, compact habit, and tolerance of both sun and shade; the developer’s current placement guidance favors part shade to shade. The patent’s no-flower-or-fruit observation was limited to three-year-old container-grown trial plants, so it should not be read as proof of universal sterility. [The plant patent](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP19916P2/en) identifies ‘AKA’ and records the blush-red new growth and deep-green mature foliage. ## Maintenance Southern Living recommends yearly fertilizer in early spring and says routine pruning is not needed. Check the plant annually and remove damaged stems if needed; allow for its naturally compact form rather than shearing it into a tight shape.