Trimming and Caring for an Oleander Bush

Provide the oleander shrub 1 to 2 inches of water every 10 days, especially during prolonged drought. Although moderately drought tolerant, the evergreen shrub grows faster and produces abundant flowers when provided adequate soil moisture. Avoid overwatering, but provide a steady stream of water around the plant’s base.

Feed the shrub a general-purpose fertilizer specifically formulated for flowering plants two times a year, preferably in the early spring and again in early fall. Follow label directions for application rates.

Prune dry and diseased limbs along with those damaged by the cold in the spring. Trimming the shrub whenever needed maintains its shape and size. Using sharp, sterilized shears or clippers, snip off old and overgrown wood back to the desired size. Pruning undesired growth back to just above the leaf node, the section where three leaves come out of the branch, stimulates more branching.

Cutting spent flowers in the summer prolongs flowering. Clipping spent tips after blooming promotes branching. Removing suckers from the trunk or the base as soon as they sprout keeps them from competing for moisture and nutrients.

Inspect the shrub for pests, such as aphids, scale and oleander caterpillars. Directing a fast jet of water on the aphids and scale insects dislodges them. Pick caterpillars with tweezers and immerse them to a jar filled with soapy water. Prune heavily infested limbs and discard them.