i just found this -

Nandina or heavenly bamboo: In frigid winters, its leaves burn brown or drop
off. The resulting naked stem looks dead and unsightly, but will probably
refoliate in May and June. Even if it doesn't, new growth will emerge from
lower stems or from new stems that grow from the soil. Any shrub whose top
growth is killed but whose roots are intact will grow back far more
vigorously than a newly planted replacement.

maybe it will take another month or 2


"Jon Oringer" wrote in message
...
it was really cold this winter in NYC - and they have been here for 3-4
years ok.

the leavs are all brown - but still on the stalk. The shoots are green at
the bottom, but not green on the way up.

have the plants died?

last year they sprung back to life after the winter.

is there anything i can do for them?

I can send a digital pic if it helps.

-Jon