Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a robust, evergreen shrub prized for its prolific, showy blooms and dense foliage. To thrive and express its full botanical potential, specific planting and care practices must be followed that align with its natural growth habits.
From our perspective, spacing is critical for accessing below-ground resources and ensuring adequate air circulation above ground. For a traditional hedge, plant us approximately 4 to 6 feet apart. This distance may seem wide initially, but it allows our root systems to establish without intense competition for water and nutrients. It also provides sufficient space for our mature canopy width, which can reach 8-12 feet, ensuring that individual plants grow into a solid, interwoven barrier without becoming excessively leggy or stressed. Closer spacing forces competition, leading to stunted growth and increased susceptibility to pests and disease.
Trimming is not merely aesthetic; it is a vital process that directs our growth energy. The optimal time to trim is after our main flowering cycles, typically in late summer or early fall. This timing allows us to set buds for the next season's blooms. Avoid heavy pruning in late winter or early spring, as this will remove the flower buds already formed on old wood. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches first to maintain our health. Then, shape the hedge by lightly trimming the current year's growth. We respond well to pruning and can even be cut back hard to rejuvenate an old, overgrown specimen, though this will sacrifice flowers for a season.
Our care requirements are straightforward but non-negotiable. We are drought-tolerant once established, but for a lush, flowering hedge, consistent moisture is key during the first growing season and extended dry periods. We demand excellent drainage; saturated, waterlogged soil will lead to root rot. A full sun exposure is paramount—we require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to produce our characteristic abundant blooms. In deep shade, we become sparse and flower poorly. Feed us in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support the energy-intensive flowering process. A layer of organic mulch around our base helps conserve moisture, regulate root temperature, and suppress weeds.
It is an intrinsic part of our biology to be highly toxic. All parts of our plant—leaves, stems, flowers, and sap—contain cardiac glycosides. When trimming or handling us, it is imperative to wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection to prevent skin irritation and avoid any contact with sap. Never burn our clippings, as the smoke is also toxic. This defensive mechanism is effective against many herbivores but requires respectful and cautious handling by gardeners.
