Nerium oleander

Oleander (Nerium oleander), is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium.

Other names include Adefla, Alheli Extranjero, Baladre, Espirradeira, Flor de São Jose, Laurel de jardín, Laurel rosa, Laurier rose, Flourier rose, Olean, Aiwa, Rosa Francesca, Rosa Laurel, and Rose-bay.

It is native to a broad area from Morocco and Portugal eastward through the Mediterranean region and southern Asia to Yunnan in southern parts of China. It typically occurs around dry stream beds. It grows to 2-6 m tall, with spreading to erect branches. The leaves are in pairs or whorls of three, thick and leathery, dark green, narrow lanceolate, 5-21 cm long and 1-3.5 cm broad, and with an entire margin. The flowers grow in clusters at the end of each branch; they are white, pink or yellow, 2.5-5 cm diameter, with a deeply 5-lobed corolla with a fringe round the central corolla tube. They are often, but not always, sweetly scented. The fruit is a long narrow capsule 5-23 cm long, which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy seeds.


Cultivation and uses
Oleander grows well in warm subtropical regions, where it is extensively used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, parks, and along roadsides. It is drought tolerant and will tolerate occasional light frost down to -10°C. It can also be grown in cooler climates in greenhouses, conservatories, or as indoor plants that summer outside. Oleander flowers are showy and fragrant and are grown for these reasons. Over 400 cultivars have been named, with several additional flower colours not found in wild plants having been selected, including red, purple and orange; white and a variety of pinks are the most common. Many cultivars also have double flowers. Young plants grow best in spaces where they do not have to compete with grass for nutrients.

Weingartia - Rebutia

Weingartia (Rebutia) is a genus in the family Cactaceae, containing 41 species. They are native to Bolivia and Argentina.

In 1895, Karl Moritz Schumann named the genus after P.Rebut, a French cactus nurseryman. These are... more >>>

Nerine

Nerine is a genus of plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. Native to South Africa, there are about 30 different species in the genus. Nerine have been widely cultivated and much hybridized and are now spread world wide.
more >>>

Galega officinalis

Galega officinalis, commonly known as goat's rue, French lilac, Italian fitch or professor-weed, is an herbaceous plant in the Faboideae subfamily. It is native to the Middle East, but it has been naturalised in Europe, western Asia, and... more >>>

Dampiera

Dampiera is a genus of plants in the Goodeniaceae family which are native to Australia. They are herbaceous plants or small shrubs which have blue or purple flowers with yellow centres. The genus is named for William Dampier, an English sea... more >>>

Gevuina avellana

Gevuina avellana is an evergreen tree of the family Proteaceae, up to 20 meters (65 feet) tall. It is native to southern Chile and Argentina. It is found from sea level to 700 meters (2300 feet) above sea level. Its distribution extends from... more >>>