It is native to a broad area from Morocco and Portugal eastward through the Mediterranean region and southern Asia to Yunnan in southern parts of China. Over 400 cultivars have been named, with several additional flower colours not found in wild plants having been selected, including red, purple, pink and orange; white and a variety of pinks are the most common. It is commonly used in landscaping freeway medians in California and other mild-winter states in the Continental United States because it is easily maintained.
Oleander is one of the most poisonous plants in the world and contains numerous toxic compounds, many of which can be deadly to people, especially young children. In spite of this toxicity it makes a great addition to your Coastal Florida landscape.
Stick around for more on the plants in bloom right now. We seem to be having a profuse spring, maybe because we had the coldest winter in 30 years. Send this along to anyone you think may find it interesting.
