Botanical name
Nerium oleander
Common name
Oleander
Oleander description
Nerium oleander is a hardy, evergreen tall shrub that is suitable to any hot, sunny position in the garden. These popular plants grow to a size of approximately 3m x 3m, making them a perfect screening plant or windbreak.
Oleanders are favoured for their long, dark green, leathery, lance-shaped leaves and abundance of flower clusters which appear throughout Summer and Autumn. Flowers can range in colour from white, pink, apricot and red. There are many cultivars available with varying flower colours, foliage colour and sizes.
Note: All parts of this plant are toxic if digested by animals or humans.
Climate
Very hardy. Broad range of climates.
Plant cultivation and care
Nerium oleander is perfect for hot, harsh conditions. They withstand severe coastal conditions, long periods of drought and very average soil. Plant in full sun in a frost free position.
Propagate from cuttings in late Summer/Autumn.
Plant use
Screens, windbreaks, shrubberies, dry gardens, coastal gardens, full sun
Pruning
Prune quite heavily in late Autumn/early Winter to remove any straggly branches and promote thick new growth and plentiful flowers.
Pests and diseases
The appearance of woody lumps on the stems could be attributed to Bacterial Gall. The caterpillar of the Oleander Butterfly are known to chew the leaves and Scales can also cause a problem.
