Oleander
Nerium oleander
Also known as: Calypso Oleander · Pink Oleander · Rose Bay
The most salt-tolerant flowering shrub in SWFL — continuous pink bloom clusters and near-zero maintenance in coastal conditions.
Southwest Florida
Growing Oleander in SWFL
Nerium oleander 'Calypso' is a single-flowered soft pink oleander — one of the most resilient large shrubs available for SWFL coastal landscapes. It blooms almost continuously from spring through fall with clusters of delicate pink flowers and handles conditions that stress most other shrubs: salt spray, reflected heat, drought, and poor soil. Long established as a coastal Florida standard for exposed highway medians and waterfront properties precisely because it thrives where other plants struggle. Grows to 6–10ft as a large informal shrub or can be pruned to a single-trunk small tree form. Important note: all parts of Nerium oleander are toxic if ingested — a standard consideration in landscape design for properties with children or pets who might access planted areas.
Plant Specifications
| Sun Exposure | Full sun — requires at least 6 hours direct for best bloom |
|---|---|
| Water Needs | Low — highly drought tolerant once established |
| Salt Tolerance | High — one of the best salt-tolerant flowering shrubs available |
| Cold Hardiness | Zone 8b — one of the most cold-hardy flowering shrubs in the catalog |
| Mature Height | 6–10ft (unpruned) / trainable to tree form |
| Mature Spread | 4–8ft |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
Nursery stock photo
Live Inventory
Available Sizes
Frequently Asked Questions
For properties within a half-mile of the Gulf or bay, Nerium oleander is one of the top-performing flowering shrubs available. Its salt tolerance is exceptional — it is used on coastal highway medians for exactly this reason. Bougainvillea is the only comparable performer for continuous bloom in salt-air conditions, and oleander's taller, more upright form fills a different design role.
Yes — all parts of Nerium oleander (leaves, stems, flowers, roots, and even smoke from burning prunings) contain cardiac glycosides that are toxic to humans and animals if ingested. This is well-established and should inform siting decisions: oleander is not appropriate in areas regularly accessed by young children or pets that might chew on plants. For most estate landscapes with managed areas, this is not a practical concern, but it is important to know.
Yes — Nerium oleander responds well to single-trunk or multi-trunk tree training by removing lower lateral branches over several seasons. The result is a small flowering tree with a canopy of bloom clusters at 6–8ft, which is a handsome and unexpected use of the plant. This form works particularly well at gate entries and along driveways where overhead clearance is needed.
Oleander is in stock.
Call to confirm sizing and current availability.