NERIUM oleander Magaly

Superb variety of Nerium oleander, shrub or sometimes small tree, perennial and evergreen, with rapid growth and compact habit, native to the Mediterranean Sea basin: at its maximum development it can exceed 4 m in height and even 2 m in width. It is well lignified and densely branched already from the base; has erect stems, with a vertical course, divided into several points along their course and slightly curved at the top so as to give the plant an expanded and graceful appearance: on them are applied vertically narrow linear lanceolate leaves, with smooth edges and from the acute apex, leathery, glabrous, with a marked central rib and dark green color. Starting from late spring and until autumn, abundant large globose inflorescences appear on the terminal parts of the branches, composed of showy flowers with a slightly fragrant five-lobed corolla and a beautiful shade of pink: these follow in autumn, and remain throughout the whole winter, thin bacilliform dehiscent fruits, containing numerous seeds from the large pappus used for the anemophilous dissemination, that is, guaranteed by the wind.

It should be placed in full sun or only partial shade in any type of permeable and well-drained soil. It tolerates the proximity of the sea with its salty winds as well as long periods of drought. It bears minimum temperatures only a few degrees below zero, therefore where the winter minimums should be lower and above all more lasting, it is recommended to plant it in a sheltered place, or even better a possible shelter in a cool and bright place in winter. Towards the end of the bad season it is possible to intervene by cutting dry, damaged or bulky parts; sometimes in the same period all the stems can be vigorously pruned to give it a more regular shape, to stimulate a thicker growth and above all a more generous flowering. Despite its bad reputation as a toxic and poisonous plant, it is certainly widespread and ambassador of 'Mediterranean character': it adapts to cultivation on terraces and balconies, inside sufficiently large containers; in the open ground it knows how to be the superb protagonist of corners of our garden alone, as a large bush anddo not forget burying several specimens in sequence to create impenetrable hedges, easy to maintain, dazzling all year round and very lively during the beautiful season, as well as its possible combination with other essences, shrubby or herbaceous, with complementary blooms.