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|temp_ref=Plants for a Future
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[[Image:Nerium oleander wild2.jpg|thumb|170px|right|Oleander shrub, Morocco]]
[[Image:Nerium oleander wild2.jpg|thumb|170px|right|Oleander shrub, Morocco]]
It is native to a broad area from [[Morocco]] and [[Portugal]] eastward through the [[Mediterranean region]] and southern [[Asia]] to [[Yunnan]] in southern parts of [[China]].<ref name=Europa>[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Nerium&SPECIES_XREF=oleander&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Pankhurst, R. (editor). ''Nerium oleander'' L. ''Flora Europaea''. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Retrieved on 2009-07-27.]</ref><ref name=China>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200018424 Bingtao Li, Antony J. M. Leeuwenberg, and D. J. Middleton. ''Nerium oleander'' L. Flora of China. Harvard University. Retrieved on 2009-07-27.]</ref>
It is native to a broad area from [[Morocco]] and [[Portugal]] eastward through the [[Mediterranean region]] and southern [[Asia]] to [[Yunnan]] in southern parts of [[China]].<ref name=Europa>[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Nerium&SPECIES_XREF=oleander&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Pankhurst, R. (editor). ''Nerium oleander'' L. ''Flora Europaea''. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Retrieved on 2009-07-27.]</ref><ref name=China>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200018424 Bingtao Li, Antony J. M. Leeuwenberg, and D. J. Middleton. ''Nerium oleander'' L. Flora of China. Harvard University. Retrieved on 2009-07-27.]</ref>
<ref name=Inchem>[http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/pim366.htm INCHEM (2005). ''Nerium oleander'' L. (PIM 366). International Programme on Chemical Safety: INCHEM. Retrieved on 2009-07-27]</ref><ref name=Huxley>Huxley, A.; Griffiths, M.; Levy, M. (eds.) (1992). The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-47494-5.</ref> It typically occurs around dry stream beds. It grows to 2-6 m tall, with spreading to erect branches. The [[leaf|leaves]] are in pairs or whorls of three, thick and leathery, dark green, narrow lanceolate, 5-21 cm long and 1-3.5 cm broad, and with an entire margin. The [[flower]]s grow in clusters at the end of each branch; they are white, pink, red or yellow, 2.5-5 cm diameter, with a deeply 5-lobed corolla with a fringe round the central corolla tube. They are often, but not always, sweetly scented. The [[fruit]] is a long narrow [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] 5-23 cm long, which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy [[seed]]s.
<ref name=Inchem>[http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/pim366.htm INCHEM (2005). ''Nerium oleander'' L. (PIM 366). International Programme on Chemical Safety: INCHEM. Retrieved on 2009-07-27]</ref><ref name=Huxley>Huxley, A.; Griffiths, M.; Levy, M. (eds.) (1992). The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-47494-5.</ref> It typically occurs around dry stream beds. It grows to 2-6 m tall, with spreading to erect branches. The [[leaf|leaves]] are in pairs or whorls of three, thick and leathery, dark green, narrow lanceolate, 5-21 cm long and 1-3.5 cm broad, and with an entire margin. The [[flower]]s grow in clusters at the end of each branch; they are white, pink, red or yellow, 2.5-5 cm diameter, with a deeply 5-lobed corolla with a fringe round the central corolla tube. They are often, but not always, sweetly scented. The [[fruit]] is a long narrow [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] 5-23 cm long, which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy [[seed]]s.
[[Image:Purity.jpg|left|thumb|170px|right|Flower Bud of a White-flowered Cultivar]]
[[Image:Purity.jpg|left|thumb|170px|right|Flower Bud of a White-flowered Cultivar]]
Oleander is one of the most [[List of poisonous plants|poisonous plants]] in the world and contains numerous toxic compounds, many of which can be deadly to people, especially young children.
Oleander is one of the most [[List of poisonous plants|poisonous plants]] in the world and contains numerous toxic compounds, many of which can be deadly to people, especially young children.
A popular greenhouse pot plant that can be grown outdoors in the summer, it can be grown outdoors all year round in the milder areas such as Cornwall[1, 260]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[200, 260]. Plants are shy to flower when grown outdoors[49, 59]. The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[245].
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
Potted plants do not like frequent repotting.
Potted plants do not like frequent repotting.
Prefers a heavy soil[49]. Prefers a light soil according to another report[202]. Requires a position in full sun[49, 184]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[200]. Lime tolerant[200, 202]. Plants are very tolerant of heat and also of drought once they are established[166]. Grows well in maritime gardens, tolerating salt-laden winds[200]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though plants tolerate temperatures down to -5°c and short periods of temperatures down to -10°c[184, 200, 260].
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
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.
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.
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[113]. Do not use seed from pods infected with the bacterial disease 'oleander knot'[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting them out in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, August/September in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature leading shoots[1].
===Pests and diseases===
===Pests and diseases===
==References==
==References==
*{{wplink}}
*{{wplink}}
*[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Nerium+oleander Plants for a Future] - some creative commons text incorporated from PFAF.
*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608
*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608
