Oleanders - WINTER DESTROYED them

Jim Ginas
by Jim Ginas
What is the best care for Oleanders after this winter that destroyed them in the Southern VA area? (VA Beach).... Cut BACK? or just leave them for the leaves to fall off on their own?
  4 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 05, 2014
    Don't do anything until all danger of freezing temperatures have past. Then, starting from the top, lightly nick the branches with your fingernail. If you see a little green, the branch is still alive and I wouldn't do anything. If there has been winter kill at the top, cut back until you see green.
    • See 2 previous
    • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on Apr 05, 2014
      and you should see my JASMIN..... I'm worried if it doesn't come back.
  • Karen Karen on Apr 07, 2014
    Yep, I think my Photinia bushes are shot. Here in Southern Indiana, we, like so many others had such a nasty snowy, icy winter. But I am going to do like Doug suggests also. I have already determined down to a certain point that the branches just snap "dead". no green. It looks as tho they are trying to bud, but the buds look damaged also.Gonna wait and see......hopefully we can trim back to a certain vital point. @Jim G my bushes are at a nice strategic point also.....as a corner anchor. And as always, weeds survive!
  • Cherie Cherie on Apr 07, 2014
    We had the same problem here in central Texas. So, Doug, are you saying leave the dead looking branch AND the dead leafs? Both of mine were huge but they look done in completely like the photo above. Thanks!!
  • Denise Rankin Denise Rankin on Apr 07, 2014
    It is very difficult to kill Oleanders. I would about every 5 years cut my oleanders down to the ground and within 1 year they return to at least 6-7 feet. Good luck.
    • See 1 previous
    • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on Apr 14, 2014
      @Denise Rankin so I trimmed ONE back near the shed (hour project and one garbage pail for ONE), I have 4 more on ONE side of the house and 4 on the OTHER SIDE! Looks like a County/Brush pickup day! and probably 3-4 hours of work EACH SIDE of the house! URRRGHHHHHHH with this danged WINTER!