Oleander, Rose Bay
Nerium oleander
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Early spring, Early winter, Late summer, Late fall, Late spring, Late winter, Mid summer, Mid fall, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Rounded, Vase.
Nerium oleander is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
River banks and river gravels in Europe.
S.W. Europe to E. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The leaves and the flowers are cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and sternutatory. A decoction of the leaves has been applied externally in the treatment of scabies, and to reduce swellings. This is a very poisonous plant, containing a powerful cardiac toxin, and should only be used with extreme caution. The root is powerfully resolvent. Because of its poisonous nature it is only used externally. It is beaten into a paste with water and applied to chancres and ulcers on the penis. An oil prepared from the root bark is used in the treatment of leprosy and skin diseases of a scaly nature. The whole plant is said to have anticancer properties.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Cardiotonic: A tonic for the heart.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Leprosy: Used to treat leprosy - a chronic bacterial infection of the skin and superficial nerves (in the skin) caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Resolvent: Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Sternutatory: Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.
Other
Rating:
The plant is used as a rat poison, a parasiticide and an insecticide. The pounded leaves and bark are used as an insecticide. A green dye is obtained from the flowers. The plant is commonly used for informal hedging in the Mediterranean, though it is too tender for this use in Britain. The leaves contain small amounts of latex that can be used to make rubber, though the amount is too small for commercial utilization. The plants have an extensive root system and are often used to stabilize soil in warmer areas.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Latex: A source of rubber.
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Hedge: Hedge
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Hedge, Massing, Screen, Standard, Seashore, Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a heavy soil. Prefers a light soil according to another report. Requires a position in full sun. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil. Lime tolerant. Plants are very tolerant of heat and also of drought once they are established. Grows well in maritime gardens, tolerating salt-laden winds. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though plants tolerate temperatures down to -5°c and short periods of temperatures down to -10°c. A popular greenhouse pot plant that can be grown outdoors in the summer, it can be grown outdoors all year round in the milder areas such as Cornwall. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties. Plants are shy to flower when grown outdoors. The flowers have a soft sweet perfume. Special Features: Not North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out .
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Do not use seed from pods infected with the bacterial disease 'oleander knot'. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting them out in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, August/September in a frame. Good percentage. Cuttings of mature leading shoots.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 9-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
The whole plant is very poisonous. Skin contact with the plant can cause irritation whilst ingestion of only one leaf has led to death in children. Death has been known to follow the use of the wood of this plant as a meat skewer.
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
N. indica. N. odorum.