How to Promote Blooming in Oleander Shrubs

Oleander shrubs have long evergreen leaves, but their summer flowering is their true claim to beauty. The flowers primarily bloom during warm summer weather and come in shades of red, pink, yellow and white. In especially mild climates the oleander may bloom year-round, with the greatest concentration of blooms in summer. Several factors can result in poor blooming, but proper care can avoid these problems and promote more flowers.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Plant oleanders in a location that receives full, all-day sunlight. Partially shaded locations result in sparser foliage and few flowers.
- 2
  Prune oleander shrubs in early spring before new growth begins on the stem tips. Cut out damaged or dead branches. Oleanders tolerate hard pruning at this time to shape or thin out the bush, so remove up to half the branches' length as necessary.
- 3
  Water oleanders when the top 3 to 4 inches of soil begins to dry but before the soil dries completely. Shrubs more than a year old tolerate some drought but may not flower as well. Providing 1 inch of water weekly via irrigation or rainfall is usually sufficient for established oleanders. The shrubs require year-round irrigation.
- 4
  Deadhead the oleander shrub after each flush of flowering begins to complete. Cut off the old flower clusters and dispose of them. Removal of the old flowers allows the plant to divert energy from these flowers into the production of new buds.

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