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Heavenly bamboo and Oʻahu ʻākia: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Heavenly bamboo Nandina domestica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Oʻahu ʻākia Wikstroemia oahuensis
	GO NATIVE
Native range
China and Japan	Hawaiian native range: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui.See state guides
Sunlight
Sun to part or dappled shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature height
3–8 ft	Under 2–30 ft, by form
Mature spread
2–5 ft	10+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
6–9	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Spring flowers; fall–winter foliage and berries	Summer–winter interest
Garden & wildlife value
Birds and small mammals eat the fruit, but the berries can harm birds.	Native flowers, foliage, and fruit give a low-water shrub seasonal interest.
Growing notes
An evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub that can spread by seed and underground stems.	Size varies from prostrate shrubs to small trees; confirm the form and leave space for its mature spread.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.