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Effect
of Shading Levels on Seasonal Leaf Color in 'Fire Power' Nandina
William
F. Hayslett, Robert
E. Harrison, Sabrina Shaw and Leiah Butler
Cooperative
Agricultural Research Program
Seminar Series
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
February 24,
1999
Introduction. In the nursery/landscape industry,
there are many factors that affect the outcome of the plants that are
produced. Seasonal leaf color changes in the 'Fire Power' nandina are
known to occur. The problem before the industry is to determine at what
level of shade these plants will continue to flourish and how this shade
affects the degree of color change.
Objectives. The objective of this research was to
examine the effects of shading levels on seasonal leaf color in this
cultivar.
Methodology. A twenty-four-month experiment was
conducted to study the effects of shading levels on the foliage color of
'Fire Power' nandinas. This popular ornamental shrub is the dwarf form
of the heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica). It originated in New
Zealand, and has vivid green leaf color in the spring and summer months
that changes to a fluorescent red as winter approaches, In this
experiment, light was limited by covering the plots with black woven
shade cloth of 43 percent and 78 percent shade, while allowing the
control plots to receive full sunlight. Fifteen shrubs from each plot
were randomly selected, and ten leaves per plant in each treatment were
taken at 28-day intervals. The leaf color was recorded using a camera
attached to a microscope.
Results. The results from this study indicate
that changes in leaf color may be affected by the change of the seasons.
The level of light/shade that the plants receive may also affect leaf
color. The control group turned a bright fluorescent red, the 43 percent
shade turned a deep red, and the 78 percent shade remained a deep green
with few red leaves. Based on the different hues observed, this research
indicates that limiting light has a direct effect on leaf color in this
species. The correlation between the amount of sunlight/shade received
and the season of the year are the two factors that determine the degree
of color in this popular shrub.
Impact. The results from this research will allow
landscapers and homeowners to predict the degree of color of 'Fire
Power' nandina during each season of the year, as well as regulate the
color by strategically placing the plants in different levels of
sunlight and/or shade.
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