Nerium oleander red-flowered

RHS Plant Profile
oleander red-flowered

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A half-hardy evergreen shrub, up to 6m high, with an upright to spreading habit and lance-shaped green leaves to 20cm long. Open clusters of red flowers are produced in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eatensmoke from burning is harmful. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Nerium are evergreen shrubs with linear or narrowly oblong leaves and terminal clusters of salver- or funnel-shaped flowers, followed by long, bean-like seed-pods
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Where winters are not reliably mild, grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light; ventilate well. During growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly. Water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer; sow seed at 16°C in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

See pruning group 9; will tolerate hard pruning if necessary to restrict size

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs and red spider mite under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)