Oleanders have long, narrow, dark green leaves that are typically four to six inches long and less than an inch wide. The showy flowers are either single or double and range from white through yellow, peach, salmon and pink to deep burgundy red. They flower from summer to fall. Oleanders are drought tolerant and will even tolerate salty spray, making them useful for planting near the ocean. They are hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10, although they occasionally get frost bit in zone 8 and die back to the roots. They come back the next spring, however.
Given how poisonous oleanders are, you may be wondering why anyone would plant them. They are drought and sea salt tolerant so are often planted along highways in beautification projects.They grow quickly, one to two feet a year, and can quickly become a thick hedge or a small tree. Most oleanders grow to be between eight and 12 feet tall and just as wide. Dwarf varieties stay three to five feet tall and just as wide. Occasionally, a protected tree may reach 20 feet. Their showy blossoms make them an ideal accent piece in the garden
