Oleander is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lythraceae. The name comes from the Greek word ὀλένας (olēnās), meaning “ivy”.
There are over 100 species of oleander, some of which are poisonous. They are native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and parts of South America.
Most of these species have been introduced into other areas as ornamental shrubs or small trees. Some species are grown for their fruits.
Common Garden Varieties Of Oleander
“Ace” – yellow flowers with red stamens and pistils; grow up to 3 m tall.
“Alba” – white flowers with pink stamens and pistils; grows up to 2.5 m tall.
“Amethyst” – purple-blue flowers with green stamens and pistils; grows up to 1.8 m tall.
“Bouvardia” – blue flowers with orange stamens and pistils; grows up to 2 m tall.
“Campanula” – bell shaped flowers with yellow stamens and pistils; grows up to 1 m tall.
“Camellias” – large double blooms that open at night; grow up to 4 m tall.
“Dwarf” – smaller than usual oleanders; grows up to 1 m tall.
“Flamingo” – bright yellow flowers with red stamen and pistils; grows about 1.2 m tall.
“Giant Hybrid” – very large plant; grows up to 5 m tall.
“Hollyhock” – large flower with yellow petals and red stamens and stalks; grows up to 6 m tall.
“Lemon Queen” – yellow flowers with red petals and stamens; grows up to 2m tall.
“Meyer’s Orange” – orange flowers with yellow stamen and pistils; grows around 1.5 m tall.
“Pink” – pale pink flowers with yellow stamens and pistils; grows between 0.6–1.3 m tall.
“Rosea” – rose colored flowers with yellow stamens and pistils; grows to 1.4 m tall.
‟Rubra” – red flowers with yellow stamens and pistils; grows 1.5 m tall or more.
“Sparrow’s Eye” – large single flower with yellow petals, red stamens, and pistils; grows 2 m tall.
Tree Forms Of Oleander
“Argentina” – yellow flowers on long branches; grows up to 10 m tall.
“Chile” – yellow flowers and leaves; grows up to 20 m tall.
“China” – yellow flowers; grows up to 30 m tall.
“India” – yellow flowers, dark green leaves; grows up to 15 m tall.
“Japan” – yellow flowers growing on short stems; grows up to 8 m tall.
In Japan, there are also many cultivars of this type.
“Korea” – yellow flowers grow on short stems; grows to 12 m tall.
“Orientale” – yellow flowers in clusters; grows up to 25 m tall.
“Papaver” – yellow flowers & leaves; grows up to 50 m tall.
“Rosa” – yellow flowers.
“Royalty” – yellow flowers that bloom all year round; grows up to 40 m tall.
“Tibet” – yellow flowers form on short stems; grows around 10 m tall.
Other Types Of Oleander
“African Rose” – yellow flowers forming on long thin branches; grows up to 35 m tall.
“Albiflorus” – yellow flowers from a thick bush; grows up to 18 m tall.
“Annual” – yellow flowers formed on thin branches; grows up to 7 m tall
“Autumn Glory” – yellow flowers when they bloom in autumn; grows up to 9 m tall.
“Baby Blue” – yellow flowers bloom in spring; grows up to 5 m tall.
“Blue Star” – yellow flowers have blue centers; grows up to 13 m tall.
“Brandywine” – yellow flowers are clustered together; grows up to 11 m tall.
“Butterfly” – yellow flowers form on thin branches; grows to 10 m tall.
“Calico” – yellow flowers grown on long thin branches; growth is slow, but the plants last for years.
“Chinese Evergreen” – yellow flowers come out in winter; grows up to 14 m tall.
What Can Oleander Plants Be Used For?
The most important use of these beautiful plants is as ornamental shrubs. They can be used in gardens, parks, and even in home landscapes. You can also use them to make bouquets and arrangements.
The flowers of an oleander plant are often fragrant and attractive. In addition, you can use some parts of the plant such as its leaves, roots, and seeds.
You can enjoy the beauty of an oleander tree by planting it in your garden. It will add color and fragrance to your landscape.
If you want to create a special place where you can relax, then you should consider using one of the types of oleander trees.
These plants are very easy to care for. All you need to do is water them regularly. When you notice that the soil becomes dry, you should give them extra attention.
You can also prune the branches so that they look neat and tidy. You can also remove dead branches if necessary.
You can use the leaves of an oleander to make tea. You can boil the leaves in hot water and drink it. This tea has health benefits because it contains natural antioxidants.
Some people like to eat the fruit of an oleander. However, you should not eat too much of it because it may cause stomach problems. The fruits of an oleander contain high levels of vitamin C.
You can use the root of an oleander as a treatment for certain diseases. You can chew the root or soak it in warm water. You can also apply it directly onto the affected area.
You can use an oleander seed to make soap. Just grind the seeds into a fine powder and mix with olive oil. Then, pour this mixture into containers.
Afterward, let the mixture sit for at least two weeks before you use it. You can use the liquid left over after making the soap to clean dishes and other household items.
How To Grow An Oleander Tree?
Oleanders are hardy plants that grow well in many environments. They require full sun exposure, good drainage, and fertile soil. You should choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight.
If possible, you should plant them near a window. You should also ensure that there is enough space between the plants. You should keep the soil moist during the growing season.
You should avoid overwatering because excess moisture could lead to rot. You should water your oleander every week or two. You should water more frequently when the weather gets warmer.
You should fertilize your oleander plants once a month. Use a fertilizer that includes nitrogen and phosphorus. You should use a balanced fertilizer that does not include any chemicals.
You should only use organic fertilizers. You should use a slow-release fertilizer instead of a quick-acting one.
If you live in a cold climate, you should protect your oleander from freezing temperatures. You should cover the plants with a blanket or plastic sheet.
You should also bring the temperature inside your house up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You should check on your plants daily to see how they are doing.
If you notice that the foliage starts turning yellow, then you should trim off some leaves.
When you have planted your oleander, you should wait until springtime before you start watering it. You should water your plants thoroughly so that all the roots are covered.
Remember to water deeply and infrequently. You should water your plant every day during the first few months. Once the summer arrives, you should reduce the frequency of watering.
When you want to take cuttings from your oleander tree, you should do so in early fall. You should remove the flowers from the branches.
You should cut the stems about 1 inch above the base of the branch. You should place these cuttings in pots filled with potting soil. You should leave the cuttings outside during winter.
In spring, you should move the plants back indoors. You should repot the plants every year.
The best time to harvest your oleander is late autumn. You should pick the fruits while they are still green. You should dry them in a shady spot.
You should store the dried fruit in airtight containers. You should eat them fresh or add them to salads.
Types Of Oleander Plant To Grow Indoors
There are several types of oleander plants available for indoor gardening. The most common type of oleander is the weeping variety. This type of plant grows slowly but produces large amounts of fragrant white flowers.
It has small leaves and looks like a vine. Another popular type of oleander plant is the shrub variety. This type of oleander grows into a bushlike shape. It can be grown as an ornamental plant.
There are other varieties of oleander plants that are suitable for indoor gardening. These include:
• Purple flowering oleander
• Red flowering oleander
Oleander Plants For Indoor Gardening
Oleander plants look great in gardens and flowerbeds. They make attractive additions to outdoor landscapes. However, if you want to enjoy their benefits indoors, you will need to purchase a special kind of oleander plant.
You can find this type of plant at nurseries and garden centers. When purchasing a new oleander plant, you should choose a healthy specimen. You should avoid buying a sickly looking plant.
You should also inspect the root system carefully. Roots that are damaged or rotting may cause problems when the plant is moved.
You should select a container that is deep enough for the roots to grow comfortably. You should use a good quality potting mix. The mixture should drain well and hold moisture.
You should keep the soil moist but not soggy. You should fertilize your plant regularly. Fertilizers such as fish emulsion or composted manure are ideal for growing oleanders. You should apply fertilizer once a month.
You should prune your oleander plant after it has been potted. Pruning helps to encourage new growth. You should trim off any dead or diseased parts of the plant.
You should also remove any suckers that form on the trunk of the plant. Suckers are weak shoots that develop from the main stem of the plant.
If you don’t prune your oleanders, they will eventually become too big for their container. You should water your plant regularly. Watering encourages new growth.
You should re-pot your oleander plant once a year. Repotting allows you to change the size of the container.
A larger container provides more room for the plant to grow. You should dig up your old pot and replace it with a new one.
You should use a clean trowel to loosen the dirt around the base of the plant. You can then wash away the excess soil using a hose. You should fill the hole left by the removed pot with a rich potting mix.
If you have trouble growing oleanders indoors, there are ways to help you overcome these challenges. One way to improve your chances of success is to start your seeds indoors.
You can buy seedlings online or at local nurseries. Start your seeds about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside.
Once your plants begin to sprout, place them outdoors. Your oleander plants will grow quickly once they are exposed to sunlight.
Another option is to grow your oleander plants in hanging baskets. Hanging baskets provide space for your plants to grow without competing with other plants in the garden.
You can easily move your hanging basket to different locations within the house. You can also add decorative touches to your hanging basket.
You can decorate your hanging basket using colorful pebbles, stones, moss, and flowers.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are many varieties of oleander plant. The most common forms of oleander include ‘Flamboyant’, ‘Lemon Queen’, and ‘Pink Princess’. These plants all produce beautiful flowers.
They are easy to care for and require little maintenance. As long as you follow the instructions provided above, you should be able to successfully grow oleander of all kinds.
The majority of people who have no interest in the subject, and aren’t green fingered assume that all plants and vegetables require the same growing conditions. This is not the case at all. Each plant has its own unique and interesting history and growing process.
I hope you will find The Natural List useful, and that it will help educate you on the wide variety of different flower and plant species there are across the globe.
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