There are over 150 oleandars in various stages of damage. Plants on the east and north side of a building seem much better. Plants on the west and south border of the property are serverely damaged. They are very dry and scorched looking. We had several days below 20 degrees causing this damage..What do I do now?
2007-02-13 16:22:16 · 4 answers · asked by snowbird 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I'm inland Australia and my winters sometimes go down to 5 deg F and summers to 105 deg F. My oleanders frost every winter. I leave the frosted leaves on till the last frosts have gone to protect the plant. Then in spring I prune off all the damaged areas.
Oleanders respond well to pruning and a large hedge nearby was reduced in spring from 7ft to 1ft. I thought these plants are going to die. None did and these plants are now a 3ft tall boxed hedge. You will find that most if not all will not die and will be denser for the pruning you will eventually give then.
The sap can cause irritation to the skin and be careful not to get any in your eyes. Wear gloves and as mentioned do not burn the prunings. Good luck!
2007-02-14 10:57:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut them back. Oleanders can be cut down pretty low to about 12 inches from the ground if they are badly damaged. They will grow back rapidly as you probably already know.
2007-02-14 01:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Val said, wait till spring then cut them back.
Also since oleander is poisonous it is not advisable to burn the dead branches and be very,very careful if you run the branches through a branch shredder/chipper. The sap is very toxic.
2007-02-14 10:55:41 · answer #3 · answered by Bad M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't care for them, just cut them right back before the spring and they will come on again better than before.
Remember that oleandars are poison to most livestock, including your pets so I wouldn't encourage you to protect them at all.
Cheers
2007-02-14 02:59:59 · answer #4 · answered by Val K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋