We usually have USDA 9a winters here, but have also a 8b frost every few years. I'd like to grow oleanders, but I don't know much about their true hardiness. Are all oleanders equal about frost hardiness?
The ground here is well drained, plenty of sun, dry winters (and, uh, summers)
Many thanks.

Kurt, I known that some varieties are said to survive -12°C temperatures. I don't know much about the names, however. Hope it can help.
Regards

Hi Kurt, I'll second Rajesh about varieties being more or less cold hardy. I've always been told that red and pink oleanders were generally hardier than yellow and orange ones.
After a little web search (didn't know about the names)

- ‘Calypso’ : red flowers, cold hardy
- ‘Hardy Red’ : as the name suggest, red and hardy (in fact, deep red and very hardy.)
- ‘Hardy Pink’ : As you might have guessed... Just like 'Hardy Red' with noticeable pink flowers instead

I assume there are many other cultivars, as there are numerous oleander varieties.
Kacey

Rajesh, Kacey, thanks for the answers. I still haven't made my choice (colors matter!) but I noted Kacey's varieties.
Kurt.

Hello,
some extra suggestions :
- Nerium oleander 'Sister Agnes’ is said to be both frost hardy and vigorous. White single flowers.
- Nerium oleander 'Hardy White' - is it the same as 'Sister Agnes'? Not sure.
- Nerium oleander 'Hardy Yellow' - well, not much info about that one, but I assume flowers are yellow and it is reliably hardy

Note : all parts of Oleanders are poisonous, take care.
Note 2 : here in Italy we have many more hardy selection, but I'm not sure they would be available in the U.S.
Note 3 : Anyway, most selections are hardy to at least -8°C. Many are hardy to -10°C. Some are hardy to -12°C.
Regards, Etto.

[ Edited by Etto on 2005/10/9 10:40 ]