Oleander ‘Dwarf Pink’

Oleander 'Dwarf Pink' (Nerium oleander dwarf cultivar) is the flowering shrub for the hottest, driest, most exposed corner of a garden. It settles at about 1.5m tall and wide, roughly half the size of a standard oleander, and carries clusters of soft pink flowers through the warm months. One caution first: every part of this plant is highly toxic if eaten, to people, pets and livestock.

Why you'll love it

• Colour through the worst of summer. Pink flower clusters open from spring and keep coming while less resilient shrubs sit still in the heat.
• Genuinely tough. Drought, heat, salt laden wind and poor soil are all handled once the roots are down.
• A hedge you can see over. At 1.5m it screens a courtyard or softens a fence line without ever needing a ladder.
• Very little upkeep. One tidy prune a year is the whole job, with no spray schedule and no feeding regime.

Where it works best

Low hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row. The canopies knit together within two seasons and hold foliage close to the ground.

Coastal and dry gardens. Salt spray, sandy soil and heat reflected off paving do not trouble it, which makes it useful on beachside blocks and hot western walls.

Pots and mass planting. A pot 400mm or wider suits a single plant. On a dry bank, mass plant at 1m spacing so the group reads as one block of colour.

Growing Oleander 'Dwarf Pink' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun all day drives the flowering. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid to semi arid gardens, and is frost hardy once established. Cold southern districts sit outside its range, where it survives but flowers less freely.

Soil. Almost anything that drains. Sand, gravel and thin clay are all fine, but standing water will rot the roots, so mound the planting hole on heavy ground.

Water and feed. A deep soak weekly through the first summer settles the roots, after which it needs water only in long dry spells. Feeding is optional: a handful of complete fertiliser in early spring is plenty.

Pruning. Trim after the main flush to keep it dense, cutting back by up to a third. Wear gloves and long sleeves, because the sap irritates skin, and bin the clippings rather than burning them.

What to expect when it arrives

Two sizes are grown: tube stock, and 140mm plants in packs of ten for a hedging run. Both are currently on backorder, so check the size selector above before you order. Tube stock is young and single stemmed, while the 140mm plants arrive already branching.

Oleander travels well, since the leathery foliage holds its own moisture. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect flowers in the first full season, a closed hedge by the second, and our 30 day healthy plant guarantee on every plant.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse more drought tolerant plants for the same dry positions.
• Compare exposed site options in plants for coastal areas.
• Read about low maintenance plants that thrive in full sun.

Common questions

Is oleander safe around pets and children?

No. Every part of the plant, including sap and dried leaves, is highly toxic if swallowed, for people, cats, dogs and livestock alike. With small children or a dog that chews foliage, choose something else.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row gives a dense hedge at about 1.5m high. Closer spacing does not close the gap any faster and only makes the plants compete for water.

Will it survive frost?

Yes, established plants are frost hardy and take cold inland winters without damage. Young plants appreciate a sheltered spot through their first winter.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, in a pot 400mm or wider with free draining mix. Expect it to hold at around 1m to 1.2m, and to need water more often than one in the ground.