Nandina berries - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have several nandina domestica shrubs. I recently read that the berries are poisonous to birds and other wildlife. Honestly, I had no idea. ...
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Nandina berries #835958
Asked June 16, 2023, 12:10 PM EDT
Hello,
I have several nandina domestica shrubs. I recently read that the berries are poisonous to birds and other wildlife. Honestly, I had no idea. Right now mine are flowering and the bees love it. But I don't want to poison anything. Is this true? Should I remove it?
Thank you,
Kim
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Kim,
Nandina berries can be toxic in quantity to birds, especially if those birds gorge themselves on the fruits instead of snacking on only a few. (Cedar Waxwings naturally have this feeding behavior and are the birds mentioned in the news stories that discussed this concern with Nandina. Bird specialists point out that Waxwings can also die from over-indulging on other species, not necessarily invasives.)
Still, since Nandina is an invasive species here, we recommend that gardeners remove them and replace them with other species, either native or at least non-invasive. A few bees may visit Nandina blooms but these will be generalist species able to use a wide array of other flowering plants; since it's not native, we don't have many (if any) native bees that would miss the presence of Nandina flowers because they have not evolved to use them as a food source.
You may find it takes some effort to dig out a mature Nandina, but rest assured that repeated efforts (or careful use of a systemic herbicide on any regrowth) should be successful.
Miri
Nandina berries can be toxic in quantity to birds, especially if those birds gorge themselves on the fruits instead of snacking on only a few. (Cedar Waxwings naturally have this feeding behavior and are the birds mentioned in the news stories that discussed this concern with Nandina. Bird specialists point out that Waxwings can also die from over-indulging on other species, not necessarily invasives.)
Still, since Nandina is an invasive species here, we recommend that gardeners remove them and replace them with other species, either native or at least non-invasive. A few bees may visit Nandina blooms but these will be generalist species able to use a wide array of other flowering plants; since it's not native, we don't have many (if any) native bees that would miss the presence of Nandina flowers because they have not evolved to use them as a food source.
You may find it takes some effort to dig out a mature Nandina, but rest assured that repeated efforts (or careful use of a systemic herbicide on any regrowth) should be successful.
Miri
