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Oleander


_Keith

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Most gardening sites say this is a drought tolerant plant. In habitat it is found in dried up stream beds. In several Florida resorts I have been to they are actually growing on the edge of constantly wet water features, sometime actually growing in the water itself. And they looked good in the later too. Here I see them in traditional well drained garden beds looking fine, too, with only our normal rainfall.

Obviously, this is quite a versatile plant. But I wonder what the optimal conditions would be.

Any input from any one out there?

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Keith,

I've seen this genus doing well in any conditions - dry, wet, acid, alkaline. It is everywhere in the old south, particularly in school yards. I always thought this was strange since every part, including the smoke from burning plants, is extremely toxic.

Palmmermaid

Kitty Philips

West Palm Beach, FL

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I think its a southern mediterrean plant hot dry conditions ----- I think the dry springs and occaisional spring rains bring o ut intense colors at least here in Jax.

There was an episode of "deadly women" where a lady did in a husband --- it toook a few trys at the soup until he cashed out. I think this is in Austraila tho.

Best regards

Ed

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Keith,

I've seen this genus doing well in any conditions - dry, wet, acid, alkaline. It is everywhere in the old south, particularly in school yards. I always thought this was strange since every part, including the smoke from burning plants, is extremely toxic.

yes, its toxic plant and even here most schools do grow dwarf variety these plants for ornamental reasons. .and the plants seeds are most poisonous.

love conquers all..

43278.gif

.

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Here in Phoenix (Az.) oleanders are one of the most common landscaping components. They appear everywhere. Unfortunately, during the past few years a voracious blight has been quickly destroying the area's oleanders at a record pace. Within just a matter of several months a mature specimen (20' in height) will completely succumb. The real bummer is that there is no known remedy. It has become so pervasive that many local landscaping companies have now specialized and only do oleander removal.

It should also be known that in addition to the oleander's infamous toxicity, its root system can rapidly entangle and destroy underground plumbing, electrical cable, etc.

Don't know if these negative characteristics are germane to oleanders in other locations; they might be worth investigating in your area before planting.

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They make a nice gopher barrier

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

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I can't remember ever seeing an oleander and thinking I'd like to grow one.

the "prince of snarkness."

 

still "warning-free."

 

san diego,california,left coast.

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I've read that glycosides contained in oleander leaves cause cardiac muscle spasms. Only two leaves can cause death of adult man. It is one of the most poisonous plant.

Anyway, this plant is grown in mediterranean area and in Czech Republic also.

They like permeable soil often mixed with sand.

Regards

Andrew

Ondra

Prague, Czech Republic

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This is how many soldiers of Napoleon army died in Italy, because they used Oleander sticks for the barbecue!

But Oleander flowers are lovely and some species's fragrance are wonderful!

Who on Palmtalk will start a thread with with nice pics?

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

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Oleander was the first plant to be removed when I bought a house in 1986. Sure, it was healthy and thriving, but common as a weed and poisonous in the extreme. They used to be planted in masses in the freeway divides. There are so many other more beautiful, less poisonous plants to grow.

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Hmm.

Considering how lethal oleander is, it's kind of miraculous there aren't more deaths from it. We sold hundreds, if not thousands of them, in all sizes, out in Porno Valley during my misspent youth as a nursery manager. All sizes, all colors. Plus the infamous "Be-Still Tree" Thevetia, which is an oleander relative.

I think it's because little kids just don't like to eat flowers and leaves too much. Seeds -- like those of the castor bean, Ricinus -- are much more fun (and just as deadly).

But oleander is pretty, if you can get it to grow and be happy. People back in Ohio from the Mediterranean region grew oleanders as big pot plants, then set them out in the summer where they were lovely in the summer heat. I had a girl friend of Italian descent back in Ohio, and she and her mom both liked oleanders. Though she eventually got romanced by someone else, I stayed friends with her and her mother through our shared love of plants. Including palms and oleanders. (And real Eye-tallian cookin!)

I have an oleander in my back yard that got nipped a bit in the great freeze of 2007. They freeze at 18 F.

Gophers will burrow through oleanders, but they're apparently smart enough not to eat it. Deer also won't touch it. Horses, on the other hand, love to eat oleander. Once. That's why the City of Norco, near Corona (near Riverside) banned oleanders. Too many horses were eating oleander and dying under their riders. That's what I heard, anyway.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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And, apparently the ban is still in effect.

http://www.idiotlaws.com/its-illegal-to-grow-oleander-in-norco/

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Many landscape plants are poisonous, yet unintentional poisoning is extremely rare. Below is a very limited list, and be sure to include almost all CYCADs, Caryotas and Arenga Palms, Tung Oil Trees, Kalanchoe, Pothos, Amaryllis, Chrysanthemum, English ivy, Peace lily, and Angel's Trumpets, too. I am sure there are many others.

PLANT TOXIC PART SYMPTOMS HOUSE PLANTS

Hyacinth, Narcissus, Daffodil Bulbs Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal.

Oleander Leaves, branches Extremely poisonous. Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset and has caused death.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane),

Elephant Ear All parts Intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue. Death can occur if base of the tongue swells enough to block the air passage of the throat.

Rosary Pea, Castor Bean Seeds Fatal. A single Rosary Pea seed has caused death. One or two Castor Bean seeds are near the lethal dose for adults.

FLOWER GARDEN PLANTS

Larkspur Young plant, seeds Digestive upset, nervous excitement, depression. May be fatal.

Monkshood Fleshy roots Digestive upset and nervous excitement.

Autumn Crocus, Star of Bethlehem Bulbs Vomiting and nervous excitement.

Lily-of-the-Valley Leaves, flowers Irregular heart beat and pulse, usually accompanied by digestive upset and mental confusion. Iris Underground stems Severe-but not usually serious-digestive upset.

Foxglove Leaves Large amounts cause dangerously irregular heartbeat and pulse, usually digestive upset and mental confusion. May be fatal.

Bleeding Heart Foliage, roots May be poisonous in large amounts. Has proved fatal to cattle.

VEGETABLE GARDEN PLANTS

Rhubarb Leaf blade Fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions, coma, followed rapidly by death.

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Daphne Berries Fatal. A few berries can kill a child. Wisteria Seeds, pods Mild to severe digestive upset. Many children are poisoned by this plant.

Golden Chain Bean-like capsules in which the seeds are suspended Severe poisoning. Excitement, staggering, convulsions and coma. May be fatal.

Laurels, Rhododendrons, Azaleas All parts Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma.

Jasmine Berries Fatal. Digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms.

Lantana Camara (Red Sage) Green berries Fatal. Affects lungs, kidneys, heart and nervous system. Grows in the southern U.S. And in moderate climates.

Yew Berries, foliage Fatal. Foliage more toxic than berries. Death is usually sudden without warning symptoms. TREES AND SHRUBS Wild and cultivated cherries Twigs, foliage Fatal. Contains a compound that releases cyanide when eaten. Gasping, excitement and prostration are common symptoms. Oaks Foliage, acorns Affects kidneys gradually. Symptoms appear only after several days or weeks. Takes a large amount for poisoning.

Elderberry All parts, especially roots Children have been poisoned by using pieces of the pithy stems for blowguns. Nausea and digestive upset. Black Locust Bark, sprouts, foliage Children have suffered nausea, weakness and depression after chewing the bark and seeds.

PLANTS IN WOODED AREAS

Jack-in-the-Pulpit All parts, especially roots Like Dumb Cane, contains small needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate that cause intense irritation and burning of the mouth and tongue.

Moonseed Berries Blue, purple color, resembling wild grapes. May be fatal.

Mayapple Apple, foliage, roots Contains at least 16 active toxic principles, primarily in the roots. Children often eat the apple with no ill effects, but several apples may cause diarrhea.

Mistletoe Berries Fatal. Both children and adults have died from eating the berries.

PLANTS IN SWAMP OR MOIST AREAS

Water Hemlock All parts Fatal. Violent and painful convulsions. A number of people have died from hemlock.

PLANTS IN FIELDS Buttercups All parts Irritant juices may severely injure the digestive system. Nightshade All parts, especially the unripened berry Fatal. Intense digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms.

Poison Hemlock All parts Fatal. Resembles a large wild carrot.

Jimson Weed (Thorn Apple) All parts Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, incoherence and coma. Common cause of poisoning. Has proved fatal.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Keith, it is true.

But, there's toxic, like Azeleas, and there's [expletive] POISONOUS like Oleander or castor bean. Castor bean was one my fave plants when I was a kid. I never dreamed it was a terrorist weapon. (Don't grow it any more.)

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Castor Bean (actually a seed) is a medicine, among other things. Industry uses 600-800 million pounds of castor oil, annually. Its derivatives have applications in the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, hydraulic and brake fluids, paints, dyes,coatings, inks, cold resistant plastics, waxes and polishes, nylon, pharmaceuticals and perfumes.[

Medicine[edit source | editbeta]

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized castor oil as "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) for over-the-counter use as a laxative with its major site of action the small intestine where it is digested into Ricinoleic acid.[17]

Therapeutically, modern drugs are rarely given in a pure chemical state, so most active ingredients are combined with excipients or additives. Castor oil, or a castor oil derivative such as Kolliphor EL (polyethoxylated castor oil, a nonionic surfactant), is added to many modern drugs, including:

Traditional or holistic medicines[edit source | editbeta]

The use of cold pressed castor oil in folk medicine predates government medical regulations. It is tasteless and odorless when pure. Its uses include skin disorders, burns, sunburns, cuts, and abrasions. It has been used to draw out styes in the eye by pouring a small amount into the eye and allowing it to circulate around the inside of the eyelid. Note that most bottles of castor oil indicate it is to be kept away from the eyes. The oil is also used as a rub or pack for various ailments, including abdominal complaints, headaches, muscle pains, inflammatory conditions, skin eruptions, lesions, and sinusitis. A castor oil pack is made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil, then putting it on the area of complaint and placing a heat source, such as a hot water bottle, on top of it. This remedy was often suggested by the American psychic Edgar Cayce, given in many healing readings in the early mid-1900s.

The use of castor oil to induce labor is controversial. One study showed that women who receive castor oil have an increased likelihood of initiation of labor within 24 hours compared to women who receive no treatment, (following administration of castor oil, 30 of 52 women [57.7%] began active labor compared to 2 of 48 [4.2%] receiving no treatment).[27] However, another study showed that castor oil had no effect on the time to birth in women whose pregnancy exceeds 40 weeks.[28]

"Castor oil is one of the oldest drugs. When given orally, it has a laxative effect and induces labor in pregnant females." "Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors"[29] The irregular, painful contractions of castor oil-induced labor can be stressful on the mother and fetus.[citation needed] It also leaves the laboring woman quite dehydrated as a result of the vomiting and diarrhea which result when the recommended dose of castor oil for labor induction is taken—2 oz, or about 4 tbsp.[citation needed] This leaves her without access to the energy she could otherwise derive from food or drink throughout her labor process. Using castor oil for induction is not recommended without consulting a medical practitioner and is not recommended in a complex pregnancy.[citation needed]

Ricinus communis var minor, administered orally once to each of 12 women volunteers at a dose of 2.5-2.7 g per 8 months, protected against pregnancy over a period of 7–8 months of study.[30]

In Ayurvedic medicine it is used to enhance memory.[31] In Ayurvedic medicine it is used to treat "Pitta Dosha" by using "Virechana therapy". Castor oil has also been claimed to promote eyelash growth; there is, . Its derivatives have applications in the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, hydraulic and brake fluids, paints, dyes,coatings, inks, cold resistant plastics, waxes and polishes, nylon, pharmaceuticals and perfumes..

Ricin, the terrorist agent, is made from the waste left over from processing castor beans by evil people attempted to take something good and make it bad. This is hardly unique to the castor bean.

From Wikipedia and other websites.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Well, no.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Well counselor, to which fact above do you dispute?

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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So... are you operating a pharmacy or planting a garden? :mrlooney: What attracts you to oleander? I think it is rather common-looking, of an ungainly size, and woody, with a dry look about it. Those were the main reasons I took it out. The poisonous factor was secondary. I would have taken it out even if it had not been poisonous.

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Kieth, there's toxic and poisonous

Kim, beauty is as it does, I guess

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Kim, although I am not growing Oleander or Castor for medicinal purposes, I would like to get into medicinal plants in my garden at some point. I have been doing quite a bit of reading about it, and have a few plants along those lines like Erythrina herbacea.

As for Oleander being common, I think that is the thing that many times gardeners in California, Hawaii, and Florida just don't get. While I would not call it rare, Oleander is certainly not common here. Many of the plants and palms you guys call common are not common at all where I live. Getting any maturity in an Archontophoenix, Copernicia, or Beccariophoenix is quite a feat indeed. A good 10 year run is all one might expect, 20 would be exceptional nearly beyond belief. Mule palms are anything but common. I have a Pothos with leaves a foot wide or more planted in the ground climbing my Live Oak and folks are amazed as they only know it as a house plant here with 4 inches leaves. Folks go nuts over my Erythrina christa-galli never seeing anything like it. If I get to see my Hong Kong Orchid tree bloom once ever few years, it is a joy. I could go on and on.

Bottom line, common is a local thing. Common for you, at either of your properties is anything but common for me.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Point taken, Keith. I did not realize they would be unusual in Louisiana.

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Kim,

Some oleander cultivars have a wonderful fragrance which reminds me (or us in Europe) the coasts of Italy, Portugal or Spain.

I love fragrance and look forward to feeling the Areca triandra flower's fragrance but oleander reminds me my childhood (I forgot to taste the leaves or wood!!!)

I am able to plant Oleander in France but never in the tropics despite I see Oleanders in srilankan plant-nurseries!

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

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For those who disdain Oleanders (perhaps rightfully so), just wait, Xylella fastidiosa will take care of 'em all for ya.

I am guessing that is what Phoenix Rob was talking about. Similar to mono-cropping woes, once something is planted in abundance it becomes an easy target for pest and make its easy for them to move rapidly from plant to plant causing mass chaos. Here, whatever the vector is would have to travel at least 10 miles at best and probably more like 25 miles to reach my plant.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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You are lucky Keith. Out here the devastation is rampant. Although Oleander has never been high on my 'likable' list it still pains me to see the almost total annihilation. Once the subject plant starts to show the actual symptons of leaf scorch and die-back the bacteria has already been present for about three years.

I've heard that some of the dwarf hybrids out there are very resistant to the disease.

 

 

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For those who disdain Oleanders (perhaps rightfully so), just wait, Xylella fastidiosa will take care of 'em all for ya.

I read that the vector doesn't doesn't do so well in areas that have hard freezes, winter lows in the low 20's wipe it out, so oleander leaf scortch is rampant in California, gaining momentum in Phoenix, and not really hitting Las Vegas, last I heard anyway. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise to live in a marginal part of oleander's range.

Corpus Christi, TX, near salt water, zone 9b/10a! Except when it isn't and everything gets nuked.

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Keith,

I've recently gotten very interested in ancient healing methods. Many have been proven better and safer than the ones developed by big pharma. Call it what you will - herbal medicine, Auyervedic, a whole lot of hooey - many of the methods actually work. I am fascinated by the plants used and how they are used. Almost all culinary herbs started out as medicinal herbs. The original herb gardens were for healing not seasoning.

Every spring we were dosed with cream of tarter and sulphur tablets and cod liver oil. We were healthy children and are healthy adults. And castor oil was given when we had constipation while a mixture of flour and water was used to stop diarrhea.

Palmmermaid

Kitty Philips

West Palm Beach, FL

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Next to Privets (Ligustrum sp.) Oleanders are one plant I personally wish would disappear from the trade. Besides the obvious ways someone could be poisoned by this plant, I read an interesting tid bit which suggested that the sap of this plant is so toxic that residual amounts be seen encrusted upon the soil below plants in it's native habitat. I have also heard of the toxin turning up in soil test results. While debatable, id rather suggest better alternatives of which there are plenty.

Still, in the world of "killer plants", Rosary Peas take the crown. I was amazed to learn how much more toxic the seeds of this species are compared to Castor Beans. -Nathan-

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Oleander is pretty common in medians in Virginia Beach. It's only marginal around here so I'm guessing it's less common in the rest of Virginia.

I think folks spending their time and $$$ staying at our oceanfront area probably consider it exotic.

More palms are being planted as our lows aren't as low as they were 30 years ago and maybe the oleanders will not die back as much either.

Oleanders aren't my choice to plant in my yard for some of the reasons already mentioned, but it's still attractive in bloom after our increasingly mild winters.

Cindy Adair

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A lot of people hate oleander but look, it's tolerant of heat, cold, and a variety of soils, and it has great blooms over a long season. It's a great plant, no wonder it is so common in spite of the poisonous nature, peach leaves (as well as many other plants also listed in this thread) are also poisonous but nobody ever complains about it. I think oleanders are great, especially in marginal areas like Virginia beach where it has an exotic feel since it won't grow anywhere colder than that.

I will say that one of my least favorite cultivars is probably the most common one (at least in warm areas, since it is not fully hardy) petite pink. Petite pink is too light a pink for me, I prefer the darker pinks with larger blooms, anyway, my two cents.

Corpus Christi, TX, near salt water, zone 9b/10a! Except when it isn't and everything gets nuked.

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  • 2 months later...

Since I started this thread, I have started actively looking for Oleander in every garden and yard I see. I nearly always double check myself, when it appears I might be wrong, and I have no pride in admitting when I am. Indeed, Oleander is seen only sparsely in this area, and only the pink variety, as well. Although rare might be stretching it a tiny bit, it is no where near common. Anyway, I planted my Red Oleander today, and that color I have not seen anywhere in a couple of months of looking, not even once. I think I could categorize the red as rare in this area.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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I last saw Oleander planted in median strip areas of a major road out of Brisbane (gateway arterial) and up on the highway median on the way to Gympie, so there they relied on mother nature, quite hardy really. I think they've been replaced by native callistemons on the arterial road, it was planted extensively when I was a kid, it's hard to locate now, I liked the different flowers, the plant itself just never appealed to me. I remember being told things like, if you eat oleander leaves you'll die, I thought, wouldn't that be the same for thousands and thousands of other plants ? I eat vegemite, have you seen what that looks like ? :D

Happy Gardening

Cheers,

Wal

Queensland, Australia.

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I love the dark glossy green of the leaves

post-1207-0-77052800-1384049338_thumb.jp

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In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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I was at a big box store a few years ago when I saw a woman pluck a flower off an Oleander & hand it to her toddler daughter. I approached her immediately & explained what it was. She was really quite alarmed that it was for sale there.

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"If you need me, I'll be outside" -Randy Wiesner Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10Bish

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I was at a big box store a few years ago when I saw a woman pluck a flower off an Oleander & hand it to her toddler daughter. I approached her immediately & explained what it was. She was really quite alarmed that it was for sale there.

Good for you. There are many toxic plants out there in addition to Oleander, many of which are common in gardens and even houseplants. Handing any plant part to a Toddler is just bad common sense, as they tend to chew on everything.

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In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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  • 4 years later...
On 8/29/2013, 3:13:19, _Keith said:

Most gardening sites say this is a drought tolerant plant. In habitat it is found in dried up stream beds. In several Florida resorts I have been to they are actually growing on the edge of constantly wet water features, sometime actually growing in the water itself. And they looked good in the later too. Here I see them in traditional well drained garden beds looking fine, too, with only our normal rainfall.

 

Obviously, this is quite a versatile plant. But I wonder what the optimal conditions would be.

 

Any input from any one out there?

Nerium oleander is native here in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Here they naturally grow on hills and rocks near the sea. They can survive few months without water, but they look much better and more lush if they have regular water.

Wild ones here are in shades of pink and white.

 

I like double varieties ( they can not be find in wild here, only in cultivation ).

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Edited by Cikas
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