For me Oleanders evoke memories of fun and relaxation. Waking up to a perfect view from the window of fancy seaside resort, cruising the beach circle with the top down, and sipping a cool drink and watching the sun slide into the sea over the tops of bright cherry pink and white flowers.
Oleanders are almost as synomous with tropical and island landscapes as hibiscus are. They are tough, hardy, easy to grow, with a lot of rewarding beauty for very little work. The will tolerate a wide range of conditions, including moderate degrees of abuse and still be beautiful. This vigor and hardiness is the trait that has earned oleanders a top spot in the tropical idea book of landscape architects and urban planners around the world.
Oleanders are native to southern Asia and the Mediteranean. They mature into large multi stemmed tree like shrubs, with a natural habit of about 6 to 12 feet tall with a nearly equal spread. They make great boundry and privacy hedges or stand alone specimens, and as punctations points in mixed borders and beds. Oleanders are also easily trimmed and trained into a patio standard tree form.
They will grow in a wide range of soil conditions and will flourish in seaside areas. A full sun location is best. There several hundred cultivars.
All parts of this plant are considered toxic, albeit less so than myth and urban legends would suggest.