How to grow oleander
How to grow oleander
The oleander (Nerium oleander L., 1753) is an evergreen shrub, the only species of the genus Nerium that is perhaps native to Asia but now natural and spontaneous in the Mediterranean regions, along the banks of small streams, or immersed in olive groves, or at the mouth of the rivers and is widely cultivated for ornamental purposes. In this short card we see how to grow the oleander and its needs. The oleander grows almost everywhere in Southern Italy, especially in Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia, but it is also possible to meet it in Liguria.
To cultivate it, you need to know that it is a plant that does not fear cold and can live quietly even 5-6 degrees below zero (except that it is grown in pots and these are not too small). In this case, or at lower temperatures, it will be necessary to collect it in closed and bright places or to protect it.
Oleander requires fertile and well-worked soil (but it grows a little everywhere) and, if we want to grow it in pots, this must be deeper than broad, so as to allow the roots, which are about the same length as the part aerial, to develop.
The simplest multiplication is by cuttings (preferably in summer, by planting it in the sand) and anyway, for a few plants, it roots well even in water and then it is transplanted taking care not to damage the roots. If you want to implement grafts these must be split or for eye, in spring.
The oleander is an excellent plant for borders and as a low windbreak. In this case it is allowed to grow in a completely natural way making it assume its preferential form, that is the shrub form. It is a plant very resistant to saltiness so it can represent a first barrier to put in succession, protected by this plant, more sensitive species.
It is possible to grow it and grow it in a tree; in this case you must choose the most vigorous and straightest branch from the first year, constantly taking care to eliminate the discards and then the suckers that are forming. In arboreal form it can become a good sized plant with a crown that makes an excellent shade.
Of the oleander there are different varieties with different colored flowers; it ranges from white to pink, red to purple to yellow.