Oleander

Attractive evergreen shrub for warm climates, oleander produces heavily scented, colorful flowers all summer and fall.

About This Plant

Blooms summer to fall, fragrant flowers in apricot, copper, pink, lilac, red, purple, salmon, yellow, white. Best on west coast, southern states, FL, TX. Withstands dry conditions, wind, salty/marshy soils—popular in coastal regions. Grows 6–12 feet; some trained to 20-foot trees. All parts poisonous to humans/animals if ingested; sap may irritate skin.

Special Features

• Fragrant

Site Selection

Ideally full sun to light shade, well-drained soil. Adaptable: tolerates dry and marshy conditions.

Care

Spring: compost to dripline + 2-inch mulch. Water if rainfall <1 inch/week. Prune after main bloom for bushier growth, more flowers, size reduction.

Planting Instructions

Spring or fall. Space 6–12 feet. Hole as deep as rootball, 2–3x wide. Poor soil: amend removed soil with little compost; else don't amend. Set plant, backfill halfway, water, drain, finish backfill, water.