This week’s column is dedicated to my love affair with oleanders.  This fabulous shrub, often seen as an ornamental plant in landscapes, parks and along roadsides, produces clusters of gorgeous flowers from May through October. 

Oleanders are super easy to care for — they are perennial [they will rebloom year after year], hardy, low care, don't need much water, easy to find, affordable to buy, grow relatively fast, love lots of hot sun and can tolerate pretty bad soil.  While oleanders love the sun, they can also be planted in partial shade.   

Native to Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, the botanical name for the oleander is Nerium oleander. They come in a variety of colors — red, white, pink, salmon, yellow and purple. I had a tough time choosing between pink and red, but ultimately chose red and it was a great choice. 

Just like most flowering shrubs, oleanders require occasional trimming. Some varieties can grow 20 feet tall, so be sure to check the size before buying. Oleanders are often used as a divider or hedge, but can also be trained into a tree, although it takes years to develop a strong trunk and is susceptible to damage during strong winds.

Since oleanders grow so large, the only place I could plant mine was along the side our house.  I would prefer so this beautiful shrub to be in a more prominent location that I could enjoy more, but it will eventually grow much taller than the plants in front of it, so you won’t be able to miss it.

One word of caution — the oleander is poisonous from the roots and the stems to the leaves and flowers.  When working with this plant, you should always wear gloves and wash your hands afterward.  Make sure that your children and pets don't eat the leaves or flowers, and don't use the leaves or branches for mulch or barbecue fires. 

So now that you have the scoop on oleanders, hurry to your local nursery and purchase this gorgeous shrub.  You won’t be disappointed!!