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Heavenly bamboo and ʻĀkia: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Heavenly bamboo Nandina domestica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE ʻĀkia Wikstroemia uva-ursi
	GO NATIVE
Native range
China and Japan	Hawaiian native range: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui.See state guides
Sunlight
Sun to part or dappled shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Dry soil
Mature height
3–8 ft	2–6 ft
Mature spread
2–5 ft	2–5 ft
USDA hardiness zones
6–9	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Spring flowers; fall–winter foliage and berries	Intermittent flowers & colorful fruit
Garden & wildlife value
Birds and small mammals eat the fruit, but the berries can harm birds.	Colorful fruit and native foliage bring interest to a dry garden with little irrigation.
Growing notes
An evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub that can spread by seed and underground stems.	Female plants bear fruit; ask a grower about pollination and use a locally appropriate, nursery-grown form.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.