Oleander is a very pruning-tolerant plant that should be cut back every spring. In this way, you can eliminate damage caused by overwintering and also prevent baldness. However, sometimes it may be necessary to 'put oleander on the stick', i.e. H. to cut the bush down to the ground.
When and how should you radically cut back oleander?
A radical pruning of the oleander should be carried out if the plant is bald or not growing well. Cut off all shoots to within 20cm of the ground, ideally in spring.
When should you cut back oleander radically?
This can be the case if the plant has been neglected for several years and is therefore bare. These leafless branches will not grow leaves or flowers, so you will need to remove them to encourage new growth. Even if the shrub doesn't really want to grow and/or bloom, radical pruning can sometimes work wonders. Oleander sprouts reliably both from sleeping eyes and directly from the roots. In the season following pruning, a beautiful, bushy shrub has developed. You just have to wait a while for the flowering, because oleander mainly blooms on two-year-old wood.
How is the radical cut carried out?
Remove all shoots directly above the ground. They leave only three to five young and well-developed ones and cut them about a hand's width - about 20 centimeters - above the ground. Be careful not to leave any stubs - these will only develop into weak water shoots that will not produce any flowers.
Instead of radical pruning, thin out the oleander heavily
If you don't want to put your oleander on the vine and therefore want to forego the flowers for the time being, you can just thin out the bush heavily. Carefully cut away all bare and weak as well as diseased, dead and overhanging shoots. This approach has the advantage that you don't have to miss out on flowering the following year.
What time of year is best for this measure?
Basically, you can do this cut any time of the year. However, it is best for the oleander to sprout again after pruning in spring, because at this time the plant is already prepared for new growth. Carry out the pruning in March or April on a mild day and after clearing out the winter quarters.
Tip
Of course, oleander can also be cut back before putting it away for winter quarters.
