Colour from growth
The pink comes from young leaves and lasts longer than a brief flower display.
10
Nandina 'Blush Pink'® 17cm
Normal price
€20,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Nandina domestica Blush Pink® (‘AKA’)
So pink and so red through the year, it seems to change mood better than we do 🌸
- Pink new growth
- Red winter tones
- Low dense habit
- Sun or partial shade
Nandina domestica Blush Pink® (‘AKA’) makes colour part of its foliage, with blush-red new growth standing out against the deeper greens of older leaves. Small leaflets build airy, finely divided layers that keep the compact crown delicately textured. As temperatures fall, deeper red tones add another season of interest, bringing warmth to the planting through the leaves themselves and giving this little shrub a varied appearance through the year.
It works as a low colour point by an entrance, along a path or at the front of a border, where the foliage changes can be appreciated at close range.
What makes it distinctive
Three elements define this cultivar’s form and presence.
Fine compound texture
Each leaf divides into many leaflets, giving light movement.
Small scale
Compact growth suits front-of-border positions and composed pots.
Why you will love it: because colour from growth gains a clear presence on a low dense compact shrub, without excessive styling.
In the garden & on the terracePlacement & plant combinationsPlant it in front of taller shrubs or in a bright pot, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart.
Ideal position
Plant it in front of taller shrubs or in a bright pot, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart.
Compatible combinations
Pair the red tones with gold, dark or blue-green foliage in plants for sun or light shade and free-draining soil.
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ — arching gold-green blades brighten the base in the same light partial shade
- Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’ — lime foliage gives clean contrast to the fine texture
- Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ — dark linear tufts make the pink tones appear stronger
Care at a glance
Light
Sun to light partial shade; good light strengthens red tones without drying the root.
Watering
Maintain even moisture while establishing, then water again when the surface dries.
Climate & resilience
A hardy evergreen shrub; protect container roots from prolonged frost and freezing wind.
Safety
Not edible and contains cyanogenic compounds. Prevent children and animals from chewing leaves or any fruit.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, watering, soil, feeding, pruning and problem prevention.
Position & light
Sun to light partial shade; good light strengthens red tones without drying the root.
Watering & drainage
Maintain even moisture while establishing, then water again when the surface dries.
Soil & repotting
Free-draining organic soil from slightly acidic to neutral; strong alkalinity can cause chlorosis.
Feeding
Use a small dose of balanced feed in spring; excess loosens the compact habit.
Pruning & habit
Remove old or disproportionately tall stems at the base, keeping the naturally layered foliage. Avoid shearing the whole crown into a flat-topped shape.
Problem prevention
Watch for chlorosis in lime-rich soil and root stress when water remains in the saucer.
Development through timeFrom establishment to mature habitFrom first establishment to the exact plant’s natural mature habit.
First season
During the first season it directs energy into root establishment and a few strong new shoots rather than filling its final space immediately.
Establishment
New tips fill gaps in the woody framework and the natural crown becomes denser without changing its basic growth type.
Mature scale
With long-term growth it reaches about 50–60 cm in height and 55–60 cm in width, forming a low dense compact shrub.
Mature habit & dimensions
Mature shrubHeight 50–60 cmSpread 55–60 cm
Short upright canes carrying divided compound leaves.
Form through time
New growthBlush-red leaves above mature green foliage.
Cool seasonA stronger presence of deeper red tones.
Seasonal timing varies with climate and the age of the plant.
What to expect after planting: The final habit develops gradually; retain the natural framework and assess growth over a complete season.
History & originCultivar originTexas, 2004 · an unexpected plant among ‘Firepower’
Around November 2004, April Herring, Kay Herring and Adriana Garza noticed something different among Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ at Magnolia Gardens Nursery in Magnolia, Texas. One plant in a 72-cell tray was opening blush-red leaves instead of the usual yellow-green growth.
It was a natural whole-plant mutation. Kept as ‘AKA’, it was micropropagated at the same nursery, with subsequent generations retaining the low dense habit and distinctive new foliage.
A US plant patent application followed on 20 November 2007, and patent PP19,916 was granted on 14 April 2009. ‘AKA’ became known commercially as Blush Pink®, carrying that first pink surprise into its name.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who wants to know what lies behind the plant’s appearance
A compound leaf can look like a branch
A nandina leaf is divided into smaller leaflets along a branching axis. The whole structure can resemble a little branch, but the axillary bud sits at the base of the complete leaf, not at the base of every leaflet.
Colour changes with leaf age
Anthocyanins contribute to the blush-red tones of new growth. As a leaf develops, their balance with chlorophyll changes, allowing several foliage ages and colours to coexist within the crown. Light and temperature also influence the intensity of the display.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers covering position, water, seasonality, pruning, mature scale and safety.
01How much light does it need?
Sun to light partial shade; good light strengthens red tones without drying the root.
02When should it be watered?
Maintain even moisture while establishing, then water again when the surface dries.
03Can it stay permanently in a pot?
Yes, in a container matched to its final scale, with open drainage holes and the upper compost refreshed each spring.
04When and how should it be pruned?
Remove old or disproportionately tall stems at the base without shearing the top horizontally.
05How large does it become?
At maturity it reaches about 50–60 cm high and 55–60 cm wide, with a natural low dense compact shrub.
06Is it safe to eat or for pets?
Not edible and contains cyanogenic compounds. Prevent children and animals from chewing leaves or any fruit.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.