The nana berry is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub indigenous to South Africa, it is a common across Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. This attractive shrub can reach a mature height of 4m when environmental conditions are ideal, but is more often a shrub 1-3m tall..
Searsia dentata is low branching with a dense rounded canopy. It brings bright autumn colours to the garden as the leaves, which are pink when young, turn dull yellow to orange red in autumn. The dark green leaves are compound with three leaflets, two side leaflets are smaller than the terminal leaflet.
In Searsia dentata, the new growth of the leaves is bronze and it has bright autumn colours.This shrub bears clusters of small, yellowish green flowers at the end of the branches from September to November. Male and female flowers of this species are borne on different plants. After flowering, shiny bright red fruits are borne in heavy clusters on the female plants from November to January. The red red ripe fruit is much sought after by birds.
Searsia dentata forms an attractive hedge and should be planted in full sun or semi-shade. It is very frost hardy. Trim to keep it neat.
This species grows in almost any kind of soil and is ideal for waterwise gardening. It has a fast growth rate of about 0.5m a year. The nana berry favours both full sun and semi-shade conditions, it is very frost hardy. In the landscape, this shrub is normally planted as a hedge.
Searsia dentata also creates a focal point in the garden; it is a good choice for wildlife gardens as the flowers and fruits attract a wide range of butterflies, birds and other insects to visit the tree.
