Gideon, The oleander caterpillar is the most damaging pest of oleanders. Oleander caterpillars are the most damaging pest of oleanders. Smoke from burning cuttings can cause severe reactions. Contact of sap with skin may cause irritation. Eating even small amounts of any part of the plant can make a person or animal severely ill or cause death. If the tops are killed back by cold, they will recover quickly in spring as long as the roots were not damaged. Even on the coast, some winter damage may occur each year. They are typically listed for growing in USDA zones 8b to 10. Most oleanders will survive temperatures down to 15 to 20 ☏, although their foliage will be damaged. Cut stem tips off to encourage branching after the flowers are spent, but avoid cutting too late in the fall, as the new growth may not have enough time to harden before frost. Remove dead flower clusters to encourage longer bloom. Oleanders will tolerate quite hard spring pruning to remove cold damaged or overgrown wood. Since oleanders bloom in summer on new growth, prune them in the early spring. Oleanders can be allowed to grow in their natural large mound form, or they can be trained to a small multi-stemmed tree. Oleanders are very drought-tolerant once established, but respond well to occasional deep watering. Oleanders are tolerant of many different soil types, but must have good drainage. Photo by Karen Russ, ©2008 HGIC, Clemson Extension Oleander ( Nerium oleander) leaves and branch habit. They will tolerate partial shade, but may have a lanky, open shape. Oleanders grow best in full sun and will tolerate even reflected heat from a south or west wall. The dwarf cultivars also have smaller leaves.

They are long and narrow, usually between 4 and 6 inches long and an inch or less wide. The leaves are smooth, dark green, thick and leathery.

Some varieties (mostly doubles) are fragrant. Colors range from pure white through pale-yellow, peach, salmon and pink to deep burgundy red. Oleanders flower from early summer until mid-autumn with large clusters of 2-inch single or double blossoms. Their quick growth rate and thick multi-stemmed habit makes them ideal for use as a screen or informal hedge.

Oleanders are usually very large, mounded shrubs that take up considerable space in the landscape. Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2013 HGIC, Clemson Extension Ornamental Features Flowers and buds of a single-flowered, light pink oleander ( Nerium oleander).

Author of white oleander