Changes

| common_names = Oleander

| common_names = Oleander

| growth_habit = shrub (small tree)

| growth_habit = shrub (small tree)

| high = most 8-12 ft.

| high = 2-6 m

| wide = most 8-12 ft.

| wide = 2-5 m

| origin = [[Mediterranean]] to [[China]]

| origin = [[Mediterranean]] to [[China]]

| poisonous = highly poisonous

| poisonous = highly poisonous

| water = drought tolerant to regular

| water = drought tolerant to regular

| features = flowers

| features = flowers

| hardiness = 15[[Fahrenheit|°F]] (-9[[Celsius|°C]])

| hardiness = -10[[Celsius|°C]]

| bloom = spring to autumn

| bloom = spring to autumn

| usda_zones = 8-11

| usda_zones = 9-11

| sunset_zones = 8-16, 18-31

| sunset_zones = 8-16, 18-31

| color = IndianRed

| color = IndianRed

| species = oleander

| species = oleander

}}

}}

Thrives best in warm summer climates where winters are mild.  Growth is moderate/fast.  Natural habit is broad with many stems, but training it to [[tree form]] is easy. Very useful as windbreak, privacy screen, along roads, in tubs. Leaves are dark green and leathery, narrow, 4-12in. Plant and leaves are attractive year round.  There is a variegated form with golden color in the leaves.

Oleander thrives best in warm summer climates where winters are mild.  Growth is moderate/fast.  Natural habit is broad with many stems, but training it to [[tree form]] is easy. It is very useful as windbreak, privacy screen, along roads, in tubs. The leaves are dark green and leathery, narrow, 5-21 cm long and 1-3.5 cm broad, and with an entire margin. Plant and leaves are attractive year round.  There is a variegated form with golden margins on the leaves.

Flowers at the end of branches come in clusters, each flower is 2-3 inches across. The long bloom period from spring to fall is one of the reasons for the Oleanders popularity (with the extreme drought tolerance being another). Many varieties have scented blooms, coming in red, pink, white salmon and yellow.  Double flowers are less common than single. Single flowers fall off after bloom, while double flowers turn brown and remain until trimmed off.

Flowers at the end of branches come in clusters, each flower is 2.5-5 cm diameter. The long bloom period from spring to fall is one of the reasons for its popularity, with the extreme drought tolerance being another. Many cultivars have scented flowers, coming in red, pink, white salmon and yellow.  Double flowers are less common than single. Single flowers fall off after finishing, while double flowers turn brown and remain until trimmed off.

Extremely poisonous plant if ingested. In case it is ingested, vomiting should be induced, and immediate treatment sought. Do not use trimmed branches for barbecues or fires.

Oleander is an extremely poisonous plant if ingested. In case it is ingested, vomiting should be induced, and immediate treatment sought. Do not use trimmed branches for barbecues or fires.

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

| notes =

| notes =

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Need regular water until established, then extremely drought tolerant, though regular water is fine with them any time. Very forgiving of bad or salty soil.  Shade causes leggy growth and stunts blooming, as does fog.

It needs regular water until established, then extremely drought tolerant, though regular water is fine with them any time. It is very tolerant of bad or salty soil.  Shade causes leggy growth and stunts blooming, as does fog.

Prune to control size and shape in the early spring.  Old wood should be removed, branches may be cut to ground.  Unwanted suckers should be hand pulled, not cut, for best control.  Pinching or pruning of grow tips can help keep height down.  Cut branches exude a milky sap (poisonous as well!).

Prune to control size and shape in the early spring.  Old wood should be removed, branches may be cut to ground.  Unwanted suckers should be hand pulled, not cut, for best control.  Pinching or pruning of grow tips can help keep height down.  Cut branches exude a milky sap (poisonous as well!).

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

For exact clones of the parent variety, cuttings are required. In spring or summer, take a 6 inch (15cm) cutting without flowers and place in water. When roots reach 1.5 inches (3cm), you may pot it. After it is established you can plant it in the garden. It will grow very quickly under the right conditions, and may bloom the same year. Seeds can be planted as well, for new varieties.

For exact clones of the parent variety, cuttings are required. In spring or summer, take a 15 cm cutting without flowers and place in water. When roots reach 3 cm, it can be potted up. After it is established it can be planted in the garden. It will grow very quickly under the right conditions, and may flower the same year. Seeds can be planted as well, for new varieties.

===Pests and diseases===

===Pests and diseases===

*Oleander caterpillars can eat much of the plants leaves.   

*Oleander caterpillars can eat much of the plants leaves.   

*Greenflies may appear in warm/dry spring weather, attacking tender buds.  They are yellow or ocher and suck the sap from tender buds, weaken them, and make them sticky.  Mineral oil with insecticide is effective.

*Greenflies may appear in warm/dry spring weather, attacking tender buds.  They are yellow or ochre and suck the sap from tender buds, weaken them, and make them sticky.  Mineral oil with insecticide is effective.

*Cochineals - like scabs that stick to leaves/buds.  These also make plant sticky and can be treated with insecticide.

*Cochineals - like scabs that stick to leaves/buds.  These also make plant sticky and can be treated with insecticide.

==Cultivars==

==Cultivars==

Nerium oleander is the only species in the Nerium genus.  The following is a list of selected named cultivars:

''Nerium oleander'' is the only species in the genus ''Nerium''.  The following is a list of selected named cultivars:

*'Sister Agnes' - single white flowers.  Very vigorous, to 20ft.

*'Sister Agnes' - single white flowers.  Very vigorous, to 6 m.

*'Mrs. Roeding' - double flowers, salmon/pink.  to 6ft, with smaller leaves.

*'Mrs. Roeding' - double flowers, salmon/pink, to 2 m, with smaller leaves.

*'Hawaii' - single salmon/pink.

*'Hawaii' - single salmon/pink.

*'Petite pink' - easily pruned to 3 ft. not as cold hardy as others.

*'Petite pink' - easily pruned to 1 m, not as cold hardy as others.

*'Petite salmon' - easily pruned to 3 ft. not as cold hardy as others.

*'Petite salmon' - easily pruned to 1 m, not as cold hardy as others.

*List of some very hardy varieties, between dwarf and regular size plants in size:  

*List of some very hardy varieties, between dwarf and regular size plants in size:  

**'Algiers' - deep red

**'Algiers' - deep red

**'Casablanca' - white

**'Casablanca' - white

**'Ruby Lace' -bright red, 3in flowers with wavy edges

**'Ruby Lace' -bright red, 6 cm flowers with wavy edges

**'Tangier' - soft pink

**'Tangier' - soft pink

*'Marrakesh' - red. 5-7ft.

*'Marrakesh' - red. 1.5-2 m.

*'Morocco' - white. 5-7ft.

*'Morocco' - white. 1.5-2 m.

==Gallery==

==Gallery==