Sorry, they're only hardy to zone 8, maybe a few cultivars might make it in zone 7, but definitely not zone 4-5 so you'll have to bring them in somewhere heated for the winter if you want to grow them. Anyone who's growing them in 5b must have a greenhouse or some other warm place to keep them for the winter.
Parade of Oleanders
Nan, as ecrane said, they're kept in a heated greenhouse during the winter, and container grown during the summer.
Thanks, Eggs_Zachtly...that was why I asked, as when I think *work*, the words 'heated greenhouse' don't come to mind, at all (I wish! lol!)
My unheated porch is our entrance to the outdoors, and I've found it's *almost* (I have to bring a few things in several nights during the winter) the equivalent of a zone 7.
Lovely Oleanders, Eclipse!! They are grown outdoors in the ground everywhere down here in Florida. I have a white one, a light pink one and a dark pink one growing in my yard. They are small trees. I've never noticed any fragrance, didn't even know that some had fragrance! Some years we have some kind of huge orange catepillars that devour the foliage! But, I love the plants ... just pruned back two of mine today because the branches were hanging in my way when I was mowing the lawn!
Those little orange worms turn into the neatest moths. I have plenty of oleanders so the worms and I share. I love seeing these little guys.
http://woodypest.ifas.ufl.edu/1003.htm
Yep ... just found the Oleander Caterpillar:
http://woodypest.ifas.ufl.edu/333.htm
I wouldn't kill them, figured it was either a butterfly or moth!
All beauties, Kyle!! Did you lose any?
:) Donna
Your pictures are great! Some of the flowers look a little like plumeria I have a few here. I didn't know they come in so many different ones thanks for sharing
They're in the same family as Plumeria, that's probably why the flowers look a little similar. Too bad they don't smell like Plumies though!
If they did I'd have alot more of them lol
Donna, No most oleanders are hardy to about 18 degrees, did have some damage but they have outgrown it now.
Kyle :-)
Oh Kyle... These are just gorgeous! You have sold me on them and hardy for here too, fragrant as well what else can you ask for. I am on the hunt for them now.
Thanks for sharing the photos:)
Bea