Oleander Toxic

Hi, hope you all are well!

My wife bought 3 x Neprium Oleander shrubs from Costco UK. However, was not advised regarding the toxicity of the plants. After researching prior to planting, I found someone was stating the plant is less toxic within the UK due to the cooler climate than US / South Africa / Asia. Is this true? Is there any advice anybody could give?

Thanks
Michael

 

Its toxic yes, but how toxic I wouldn't know.
I've got all manner of toxic plants in my garden and so have most people.

Its not something you worry about unless you have small children perhaps or grazing animals.

I think its fair to say most toxic plants dont taste nice anyway.

 

They are toxic and people in the past have died from ingesting the leaves/sap but the fact that they are the most common hedging plant in the Med and across warmer parts of the US shows that they are still regarded as an acceptable garden plant. You just have to be aware of them like all the other toxic plants we grow.

 

It may be worth pointing out that Oleanders aren’t fully hardy.

 

I accidentally got a minute portion of oleander sap on me today (when taking cuttings) and only found out when I had a bitter taste in my mouth. I swilled it away quickly but on that basis, I can't believe anyone would eat it deliberately! As stated by others - plenty of plants grown are poisonous - we grow rhododendrons, laburnums, ranunculus, aconites quite happily.

 

It's mainly the sap that can be an issue when you need to prune them. Just wear sensible clothing, as you would for handling Euphorbia or Rue. IF you were intending to burn prunings, it's advised not to inhale the smoke. The same goes for Laurel and Rhododendron.

 

There is a story that Alexander the Great lost a number of men in one campaign due to them using oleander branches as meat skewers.