You may recognise this shrub from holidays around the Med. The first thing to say about oleander, is that it is poisonous. Extremely poisonous. Even the smoke from burning leaves can kill. One oleander leaf ingested by a child or dog can kill it. Oleander kills humans, dogs, horses even birds. It's fragrant, drought resistant and provided it's kept frost free, tough as old boots. The oleander above was bought as a 20cm stick in a 9cm pot, without a warning. This picture taken summer 2010 shows it ten years on. When it got too big to bring in for the winter we planted it close to the house and erected a plastic greenhouse over it until it got too big for that. Last Winter decimated it down to 10cm but it has put on lots of new growth. I hope that it'll survive under fleece this time. Not a plant to keep near kids or curious animals.
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