Oleander Plant: All The Details You Need To Know.

Oleander plant, also known as Nerium oleander, can be grown naturally as a rounded, mounding shrub or can be taught to develop into a small tree with a single or several trunks. When planted in groups or along borders, the evergreen foliage creates a dense screen for seclusion thanks to its leathery texture and dark green color. Blooms that are delicately formed, beautiful, and fragrant are most often pink in color; however, other types produce red, orange, yellow, or white flowers. Flowers ranging from one to three inches in diameter can be seen from spring through summer, occasionally even until early October, and continuously throughout the year in warmer areas where the weather stays warmer for longer.

The plant is also known as rose laurel and Jericho rose, which are common nicknames. Oleander, native to southern Asia and the Mediterranean, has been cherished at least since the time of the ancient Romans (and maybe even longer), and it can survive in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10.

• Oleander, Nerium, Jericho rose, and rose laurel are common names for this plant.
• Nerium oleander is its scientific name.
• Family: Apocynaceae
• Plant Class: Coniferous evergreen Broadleaf
• Mature Size: The maximum width is 10 feet, while the maximum height is 19.
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to half shade
• Soil Type: Fertile, adaptable
• Soil pH: Alkaline
• Bloom Time: From spring to summer, and even into early fall on occasion, in warmer locations, it can occur throughout the whole year.
• Flower Color: Ranges from pure white through yellowish-pale, peach, salmon, and pink, all the way up to a rich burgundy red.
• Hardiness Zones: 8-10, USDA
• Native Territory: The Mediterranean and the southern part of Asia

Care For Oleander

Find an oleander shrub that is one or two years old and has a sturdy, straight, central stem while shopping for an oleander bush. Because of their rapid growth and dense multi-stem structure, they are excellent candidates for use as a living screen or hedge.

Oleanders can be left to develop into their natural mound shape, or they can be trained to take on the appearance of multi-stemmed or single-stemmed trees with proper pruning and training. To make a tree with a single trunk, remove all of the other stems and trim the length of any side branches that grow from the main stem to roughly one-half of their original size. Used A bamboo stake to provide support for the plant. Can use Plant ties to fasten the stem to the stake after the stake has been driven into the ground adjacent to the branch. Remove wasted flowers to prevent seed pods from developing on the plant.

Oleander's Light

Oleander grows best in direct sunlight and can also grow in partial shade, but the foliage won't be as thick as in the full sun. It can also withstand hot temperatures, dry circumstances, strong winds, and exposure to salty air.

Soil 

Plant on soil that has good drainage for the most significant possible outcomes. Oleander bushes can adjust to various soil conditions, including sandy soil, poor soil, and varying amounts of acidity in the ground. Oleanders, like many other native Mediterranean plants, have a preference for alkaline soil. Still, they can adjust to pH values between 5.0 to 8.3, so they can also thrive in acidic or neutral soil. It is essential to determine the soil's pH level before you plant anything. Adding ground limestone, oyster shells, or wood ash can help when the dirt has an acidity level that is too high.

Water 

You should water the soil anytime the top inch of it becomes dry. When moving oleander grew in a container from one pot to another, it is essential to use a bigger pool with drainage holes, preventing the plant from getting root-bound.

Fertilizer

During the first spring of the plant's life, amend the soil with a bit of balanced fertilizer, and then do light fertilization once a year. Moving forward, the oleander that has been established does not require a lot of food.

Temperature And Relative Humidity

Oleander is hardy to temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and may even withstand a light frost. If you live in an area where the temperature drops below that point, you should cultivate the plant in a container and move it indoors for the winter.

Oleander Cultivars

Consider the following from the numerous varieties available:

Calypso

The cultivar known as 'Calypso' is exceptionally resilient and has solitary, cherry-red blooms.

Isle Of Capri

The blooms of 'Isle of Capri' are singular and pale golden.

Sister Agnes

The variety known as 'Sister Agnes' has enormous, solitary, white blooms and is sometimes marketed under the name 'White Oleander.'

Compte Barthelemy 

Compte Barthelemy features blooms that are double-deep and raspberry-colored.

Roeding

"Mrs. Roeding," which bears double pink blooms, is another name for this plant.

Hawaii Cultivar 

The 'Hawaii' cultivar features solitary blooms that are salmon pink with yellow throats.

Petite Pink" And "Petite Salmon

The dwarf variants, known as "Petite Pink" and "Petite Salmon," grow to three to four feet. 

Variegata And Variegatum

Variegata and Variegatum Plenum both have leaves that are variegated in appearance.

Propagating

Stem cuttings are one method for propagating oleander plants.

Pruning Process

The end of winter, right before the start of new growth, is the ideal time to do pruning on oleanders (February through March). Oleanders produce their flowers in the summer for further development. Young stems should have their tips pinched off to reduce legginess and stimulate branching. Remove any limbs that are injured or infected with the illness.

Overwintering

Oleanders growing in containers should be brought indoors when the temperature drops. Before the onset of the winter season, give the bush a substantial haircut by cutting it back by approximately two-thirds. If the plant has become well-rooted in the soil, you will need to carefully excavate around the roots to remove it from the earth. The plant should be potted in high-quality potting soil. Put it somewhere shaded yet gets plenty of suns, such as a porch or a garage with a window. This will ensure that it thrives.

Pests And Diseases That Are Commonly Seen On Plants

The latex that is found in oleander leaves is what makes the plant's extracts such effective insecticides. As a result, plants are not easily damaged by deer and rarely face significant challenges from diseases or pests. 2 They have exceptional resistance to the wilt caused by verticillium. Despite this, you should look for aphids, mealybugs, and scale. 

Caterpillars of the oleander plant are the most destructive of the pests.

Fully grown caterpillars can climb the walls of neighboring structures to reproduce close to the eaves. It is vital to remove the cocoons to control the next generation of caterpillars, which might consume all of the plant's leaves in a week or two.