Oleander

Description

The Oleander (Nerium oleander) plant is classified as an evergreen shrub, but has also been classified as a small tree. Oleander does not share it's genus, Nerium, with any other species of plants. Oleander is also known as the Laurier Rose and Rosa Francesca, among others. This shrub has a wide native range; from Portugal through the Mediterranean to Southern Asia, including parts of China.

This shrub tends to stay around dry stream beds and other bodies of water. Oleander grows to heights of about 6 m at a max, but normally is seen around 3-4 m. The leaves of this plant grow in either pairs or whorls of three leaves. They are lanceolate and narrow in shape, leathery to the touch, and grow to lengths of about 20 cm. The flowers of the Oleander grow at the end of the branches in bunches. These flowers are either pink, yellow, or white. The Oleander's fruit is a narrow capsule that grows from 5 to 20 cm long.

Cultivation

The best areas for Oleander to flourish is warm subtropical areas. It is a very popular plant in nurseries, landscapes, and parks because of their fragrance and large flowers. This shrub is tolerant to both drought and light frost (-10°C). As such, they can be grown in cooler climates or indoors. There are an estimated 400 different cultivars including many with colours not seen in the wild.