SPECIES: Nandina domestica (Nan-de-'na) (do-mes'ti-ka); member of barberry family and native to China, Japan.

SIZE: 2-8 feet tall, 2-6 feet wide; size and growth rate depends on variety.

FORM: Upright with many canes; non-branching stems; becomes leggy at base unless special pruning done.

OTHER VARIETIES: Alba, white berries. Compacta, 4-5 feet tall, lacy foliage turns red in fall. Fire Power, 18 inches tall, rounded form with brilliant red non-twisting foliage, no berries or flowers. Woods Dwarf, 2 feet wide, 3 feet tall, no berries and flowers. Harbor Dwarf, compact form that branches from ground to form dense mound 2-3 feet tall and wide. Nana, minimal berries, 2-4 feet tall. New Plum Passion with purplish-reddish foliage.

EXPOSURE: Sun to shade.

FOLIAGE: Alternate evergreen leaves, two to three times compound with sharply pointed, lance-shaped leaflets, 1 1/2-4 inches long and half as wide. Entire compound leaf may be 30 inches.

FLOWER: Small but showy creamy white flowers late spring; look pinkish in bud. Will flower in heavy shade.

BERRIES: Bright red, round berries in heavy clusters that develop in fall and last through winter. Attracts birds. Will fruit in heavy shade. Some varieties have no berries.

FALL COLOR: Reddish in fall and bronze in winter. Fire Power and Woods Dwarf get brightest red foliage.

CULTURE: Grows in most soil but does best in fertile soil. Likes moist soil but can adapt to other conditions. Will tolerate full sun, drought and part shade but doesn't like high soil temperatures such as found in parking lots and planting strips between roads and sidewalks. Likes mulching, fertilization and supplemental water.

PRUNING: Thin out old stems annually or cut them back to different heights to encourage new stem growth. Tolerates heavy pruning or light pinching of tips for compactness.

PROPAGATION: Some forms spread by underground roots; new plants that emerge from these spreading roots can be cut with some root intact and planted on their own.

USES: Good vertical accent plant that offers year-round interest. Avoid planting in front of red brick buildings because red foliage blends in too much. Also looks good planted in groups or as specimen foundation plant.

PROBLEMS: Resistant to soil-borne diseases