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aswhad

NOT Oleander ?

aswhad
10 years ago

In Belgium normally Oleander must be kept inside for winter,
but we have a shrub that's planted outside and doesn't have any winter damage, the label is lost and i've never seen it bloom.
The leaves are very much like Nerium oleander.
The shrub is more 7 feet (i think) en nicely dome shaped.
Is there anything else that looks like oleander??

If it nevertheless is oleander why won't it bloom?

I will post a picture later next week if necessary.

Thank you.

Comments (19)

  • surya55_gw
    10 years ago

    It would be helpful if you can post the photo as soon as you can so that a proper identification can be made. Thx

  • carol23_gw
    10 years ago

    Does it have milky white sap? Some woody plants might require more heat and/or cold to flower. If your conditions don't meet those requirements the plants may not flower.

  • nel5397
    10 years ago

    It could be a Chilopsis. The leaves on a Chilopsis look almost identical to an Oleander, but I doubt they would flower in Belgium. They usually grow in area that get 35 - 40C in the summer.

  • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
    10 years ago

    We really need a picture. It's not going to be Chilopsis - that's a greenhouse plant even in the UK and Belgium is a little colder.

  • gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    10 years ago

    Many of the myrtles/bayberries look very similar to Nerium as far as leaf shape and growth habit are concerned. Flowers are usually insignificant so not particularly noticeable. Myrica gale is even considered native to parts of northern Europe so hardy enough for Belgium.

    But this is all just a guess until we see photos :-))

  • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
    10 years ago

    gardengal48 - I don't think the OP would have Bog Myrtle growing in their garden. Although native, I've never seen it in cultivation and it needs specific wet acidic conditions. And this thing is said to be 7 feet tall.

    aswhad - are you on the coast? If so you could look at Hebe salicifolia and compare with your plant.

  • aswhad
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Don't think it's Myrica gale or Hebe salicifolia...
    I'm convinced to post a photo now. :-)
    in a few days i will for sure (it's not in my garden...)

    Thanks for all the reply's

  • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
    10 years ago

    aswhad - without a picture you are not going to get an id I'm afraid. The sooner the better. Once we can see it you are almost certain to have an answer.

    Could you answer the question about whether you are on the coast? That makes a lot of difference.

  • aswhad
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    No not on the coast flora_uk

  • aswhad
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    So here they are, photo's.

    Culd it be some kind of Ilex ?

    Here is a link that might be useful: more photo's

  • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
    10 years ago

    Compare with Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna. All the shrubs in your picture have been clipped so don't set too much store by the shape.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Sarcococca

  • aswhad
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Somebody told me it sometimes has white fragrant flowers, so Sarcococca came to mind, but i'm not yet convinced....
    The leaves are not shiny at all, hopefully it'll flower next year so we can remove all doubt.

    Thanks

  • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
    10 years ago

    If it is Sarcocooca it should start flowering soon. It blooms in winter.

    Could you get a closer view of the foliage?

  • carol23_gw
    10 years ago

    Flora, there are more photos with a link to them below the large picture.
    Here is the same link below.

    Here is a link that might be useful: foliage

  • carol23_gw
    10 years ago

    A botanist friend suggested it is a Viburnum. He has seen one similar that a nursery owner couldn't identify so they ground it up and got the DNA which turned out to be Viburnum.

  • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
    10 years ago

    Duh.. Just wasn't concentrating there Carol23. I've had a look and I am stumped.

  • aswhad
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Fascinating ain't it ?
    if possible i shall try to take a picture of the stem /bark.

  • Embothrium
    10 years ago

    Osmanthus decorus.

  • aswhad
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    spot on
    Thanks bboy and everyone for you're contributions.

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