Question
Good morning...
My Oleander tree was given to me early fall '07.  At that time it was approx 2ft. high.  This spring it was time to transplant it to a larger pot, which I did. (a 14" pot)  It has been outside on my deck all summer and has been doing well, it is even blooming.  The problem is is that now the leaves are beginning to turn yellow, from the bottom up, and die.  The top is doing great, it has sprouted five new branches and there are new buds ready to flower.  Can you please tell me what is wrong with it and what I can do to nurse it back to a healthly state before I bring it in the house for fall/winter?

Thank you, look forward to hearing from you.

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,  to keep leaves at the lower level you will have to cut it back as they kind of grow like a stick with flowers on top.  The pruning will make it branch out an be fuller.  Once a year pruning should be sufficient.  If you are in a cold area spring is the time if you are where it is still warm and plants growing you can prune for another.

All parts of an oleander plant are extremely poisonous - to people and pets. Be careful  if you have pets,    where oleander are located, especially if he's not too smart or just likes to chew. Ingestion of green or dried leaves or chewing on stems could cause serious consequences. In one report with horses, it was indicated that approximately 1/4 pound of leaves (about 30 or 40 leaves) could deliver a lethal dose to an adult horse. With that being said,  Fortunately, the plant is not very palatable, but could be eaten if animals are hungry enough.