Question: We have 22 oleander bushes lining both sides of the property line and the alley side. They are all about eight to ten feet high and healthy, but in the last two years, two of the white flowered bushes have not produced flowers.ย We planted them about seven or eight years ago, but have never had this problem. All oleanders have produced flowers of different colors yearly except the two I have mentioned, for the last two years; they will produce new โโchutesโ, which are obvious, and they will grow, but will not bloom with the white flowers. All the other 20 bushes do produce the flowers. We have white, red, and pink oleanders. All oleander bushes were planted about four to five feet apart.
We also have a healthy rose bush that produces really nice and big yellow roses, but within two or three days they shrivel up and fall. Another healthy rose bush would produce a light purple flower, but the bulbs are there, without opening. What can we do?
Answer:ย Oleanders bloom on new growth so it is curious that yours are showing new growth but no flowers. You might try light pruning to encourage more branching and potentially more flowering. The other factors that could be considered are amount of light (they do well in full sun), occasional slow release nitrogen fertilizer, and of course, proper irrigation. The yellow rose could be a variety that only blooms once a year. If you have more information about the plant or photos of the flowers, we might be able to puzzle that out. The rose with buds not opening is likely due to environmental stress. Occasionally we have weather that affects the growth and some buds donโt open.
Peter L. Warren is the Forest Health Program Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Questions, photos and videos may be emailed toย tucsongardensage@gmail.com
