As an oleander plant, my most fundamental need is abundant sunlight. To thrive and produce my beautiful, showy blooms, I require a minimum of six hours of direct, unfiltered sun each day. Please plant me in a spot where I can bask in its full warmth. I am quite adaptable to various soil types, from sandy to clay, but I insist on one non-negotiable condition: excellent drainage. My roots despise being waterlogged and will quickly rot in soggy soil. I am a warm-weather shrub, happiest in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10. In colder regions (zone 7), I will need significant winter protection, such as a thick layer of mulch over my root zone, as I can be damaged by severe frosts.
Once I am established, I am remarkably drought-tolerant, a trait that makes me a favorite in warmer climates. However, during my first growing season, I need your help to develop a strong, deep root system. Please water me deeply and regularly to get me started. After that, I am content with occasional deep soakings during prolonged periods of drought. Overwatering is a far greater danger to me than neglect. As for food, I am not a heavy feeder. A single application of a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in the early spring is usually sufficient to support a full season of vigorous growth and prolific flowering. Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, will encourage excessive leafy growth at the expense of my flowers.
Pruning is essential for me to maintain a pleasing shape and encourage the most bountiful blooms. The best time to prune me is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. My flowers bloom on new growth, so this timing ensures you do not remove the coming season's flower buds. You can be quite assertive; I respond very well to pruning and can even be cut back hard to rejuvenate an older plant. Always use sharp, clean tools and wear gloves, as my sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches first, then shape me as desired.
It is my duty to inform you that every part of my being—leaves, stems, flowers, and sap—contains toxic compounds called cardiac glycosides. This is my natural defense mechanism against pests and herbivores. While this makes me highly deer-resistant and rarely bothered by serious insect issues, it necessitates caution. Please plant me away from areas where children or pets play. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling me, especially after pruning, and never burn my clippings, as the smoke can be harmful if inhaled.
