ShrubsNerium oleander
Oleander
Oleander is a profusely flowering evergreen shrub with elongated dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant blooms in pink, white or red from June to September. An iconic Mediterranean plant, it thrives as a container specimen on sunny terraces even in cooler regions.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Height
- 200–400 cm
- Spread
- 150–300 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 8–11
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Flower colors
- pink, white, red
- Wildlife value
- butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Place in full sun in a warm, sheltered position. Water regularly during flowering but avoid waterlogging. Overwinter in a cool, bright, frost-free spot (5-10°C). Caution: all parts of the plant are toxic — wear gloves when handling.
Pruning tips
Prune directly after flowering by removing spent flower clusters. Thin old, bare branches back to the base to encourage rejuvenation. Oleander tolerates hard pruning well and quickly produces new shoots.
Good companions
TreesOlea europaea
Olive Tree
The olive tree is a majestic, long-lived tree with distinctive silver-green foliage and a gnarled trunk that grows increasingly characterful with age. In warm climates it produces edible olives following a modest white bloom in June. As a container plant it can bring Mediterranean charm to cooler regions too.
ShrubsLavandula angustifolia
English Lavender
Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
ClimbersBougainvillea spectabilis
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a spectacular climber famed for its overwhelming mass of brightly coloured bracts in pink, purple or red. The true flowers are small and white, hidden among the showy bracts. This vigorous plant covers walls and pergolas in a dazzling tapestry of colour from May to October.