Red Oleander Tree

Plant Type: tree
Plant Height: 8-12 feet
Spread: 6-10 feet
Flower Color: red
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Red Oleander Tree (Nerium oleander 'Red') – Striking, Drought-Tolerant Evergreen for Arizona Landscapes

Add bold color and year-round greenery to your Phoenix Valley garden with the Red Oleander Tree, a vibrant, drought-tolerant evergreen that flourishes in warm, dry climates. Scientifically known as Nerium oleander 'Red,' this Mediterranean native is prized for its clusters of vivid red flowers and glossy, dark green foliage. With its robust growth and low maintenance needs, Red Oleander is an excellent choice for Arizona landscapes seeking visual impact, privacy, and resilience in challenging conditions.

Key Features of Red Oleander Tree

The Red Oleander Tree grows to a height of 8 to 12 feet with a spread of 6 to 10 feet, forming a dense, bushy shape that can be easily pruned to suit formal or naturalistic landscape designs. From spring through fall, it produces fragrant, trumpet-shaped red flowers in clusters that attract pollinators and bring a splash of color to the garden. Its evergreen, lance-shaped foliage provides year-round interest, making it a valuable structural plant in any landscape.

Adapted to full sun, Red Oleander thrives in well-draining soil and is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, making it a practical option for Phoenix Valley’s dry climate. This versatile plant is also salt-tolerant, allowing it to thrive in coastal and urban settings. While it requires minimal maintenance, occasional watering during prolonged dry spells and a light spring fertilization can encourage healthy growth and profuse blooming.

A Water-Wise Choice for Phoenix Valley Gardens

Red Oleander’s adaptability to drought and minimal water requirements make it an excellent choice for water-conscious landscapes in Arizona. This hardy shrub provides lush greenery and vivid blooms with little need for frequent watering, supporting eco-friendly gardening practices.

Versatile Uses for Red Oleander Tree in Phoenix Valley Landscaping

• Privacy Screens and Hedges: Red Oleander’s dense growth makes it ideal for creating privacy screens and hedges, providing color and coverage along property lines or in garden boundaries.

• Ornamental Focal Points: The bright red flowers and glossy green foliage of Red Oleander make it an attractive stand-alone specimen, adding vibrant color to garden beds, entryways, and outdoor seating areas.

• Windbreaks and Roadside Plantings: Oleander’s tolerance for poor soil, heat, and wind makes it well-suited for roadside plantings, public parks, and as a natural windbreak in open or exposed areas.

• Xeriscaping and Drought-Tolerant Gardens: Red Oleander’s resilience to drought makes it perfect for xeriscapes and low-water gardens, blending well with other water-wise plants.

Care Tips for Growing Red Oleander Tree in Phoenix Valley

Plant Red Oleander in full sun with well-draining soil for optimal growth. During the first growing season, water regularly to establish a strong root system; afterward, it requires minimal supplemental watering. Prune lightly after the blooming season to maintain shape, especially if using Red Oleander as a hedge or screen. Note that all parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested, and its sap may cause skin irritation, so exercise caution when handling or pruning. With its low-maintenance needs, Red Oleander is a reliable choice for Phoenix Valley gardeners seeking vibrant, drought-tolerant shrubs.

Why Red Oleander Tree is Perfect for Arizona Landscapes

The Red Oleander Tree offers Phoenix Valley gardeners a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that provides continuous blooms and evergreen foliage with minimal care. Its tolerance for drought, poor soil, and intense sunlight makes it well-suited to Arizona’s challenging landscape conditions. Whether used as a privacy screen, in xeriscapes, or as a striking ornamental feature, Red Oleander combines beauty and durability, enhancing Arizona gardens with its bold color and adaptability. For a reliable, eye-catching shrub that thrives in warm climates, Red Oleander is an exceptional choice.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Red Oleander Tree

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth and vibrant blooms)
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy or slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-7.5)
• Spacing: Space trees 8-10 feet apart to allow for their bushy growth and ample air circulation
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Red Oleander Tree may need light staking during early growth but becomes self-supporting as it matures into a small, upright tree

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 5-6 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 3-4 inches of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Red Oleander Tree is considered established after 6-8 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 2-3 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 18-24 inches away from the base of the tree for deep watering of the root zone
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 2-4 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 2-3 emitters per tree for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: In summer, increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days. In winter, reduce to every 3-4 weeks