Cold hardy Oleander in zone 7b/8a?

[vlc]

I am just north of Atlanta, GA - in zone that got pushed to 8a (since 2023) and I was wondering if anyone here has experience growing Oleander outside in the ground in this zone?

I'm reading some types of Oleander are hardier than others and I've stumbled upon the Oleander Calypso at local Lowe's. I love the way Oleanders look, but I'm hesitant to buy one and plant in the ground just for it to die during the winter.

Does anyone have experience with cold hardy Oleanders?

Can they be grown successfully in zones 7b/8a? Which varieties?

Thanks in advance!

[Silas_Sancona]

4 hours ago, vlc said:

I am just north of Atlanta, GA - in zone that got pushed to 8a (since 2023) and I was wondering if anyone here has experience growing Oleander outside in the ground in this zone?

I'm reading some types of Oleander are hardier than others and I've stumbled upon the Oleander Calypso at local Lowe's. I love the way Oleanders look, but I'm hesitant to buy one and plant in the ground just for it to die during the winter.

Does anyone have experience with cold hardy Oleanders?

Can they be grown successfully in zones 7b/8a? Which varieties?

Thanks in advance!

Being that you're in 8a, but can still experience 7b winters, i'd be skeptical of Oleanders, even the hardier ones like Calypso surviving several winters. in the ground there. 

Not impossible of course,  but,  your kind of winter cold is a bit different than zone 8 cold here in the southwest.. What can survive an hour or two at 16F here w/ moderate damage might be a glob of frozen goop if exposed to the same low back east.

If you were going to try one, place in the warmest spot in your yard where you can protect on the coldest mornings  ..in well draining soil. Constantly wet + cold soil can = dead plants..

Keep in mind too that they are one of the most toxic plants on the planet..

[KPoff]

On 5/17/2025 at 4:56 PM, vlc said:

I am just north of Atlanta, GA - in zone that got pushed to 8a (since 2023) and I was wondering if anyone here has experience growing Oleander outside in the ground in this zone?

I'm reading some types of Oleander are hardier than others and I've stumbled upon the Oleander Calypso at local Lowe's. I love the way Oleanders look, but I'm hesitant to buy one and plant in the ground just for it to die during the winter.

Does anyone have experience with cold hardy Oleanders?

Can they be grown successfully in zones 7b/8a? Which varieties?

Thanks in advance!

@vlc there are tons of people that grow oleander in 8A west Texas. I couldn’t tell you what type, but some have pink and some have red flowers. They are all survivors of 2021. Our climate is different here though. It’s much more dry and low humidity.

[hinovak]

I’ve seen them come back in Fort Worth from 0 degrees up against a house,  but you can expect them to be more like a die back perennial. All of your top growth will get zapped. But def. worth a try.

[vlc]

Thank you for the information. I'd love to try to grow Oleander in Atlanta, but we do get a lot of rain and high humidity, which I worry could kill an Oleander, or defoliate. My plan was to put it about 2-3 ft away from the house next to other evergreen bush and wooden posts that hold up an overhang of the house.

[NMPalmjunky]

Oleanders thrive in central and southern New Mexico 7b-8b. Hardy Red and hardy pink are most common and show little burn most winters. My favorite is the Sister Agnes with big white flowers.