1 86 FLORA AND SYLVA. 



THE OLEANDER. 



As the old Georgian Orangeries sank into dis- 

 favour, to be replaced by the modern Conser- 

 vatory, a number of old plants regarded as the 

 necessary adjunct of the former also passed 

 gradually out of fashion, among them the Ole- 

 ander. One may still find the terraces of many 

 of the old chateaux of Northern Europe or- 

 namented by a row of Neriums, and for such 

 uses the plant is well adapted. The vast num- 

 bers, too, raised for continental markets each 

 year indicate that in many quarters it is still 

 popular. Whether it is that owing to our un- 

 certain climate its culture is really more diffi- 

 cult and unsatisfactory than upon the main- 

 land of Europe, or whether due to the ad- 

 mitted proneness of the plants to harbour pests 

 of all kinds, and their consequent disfavour, 

 is difficult to say, but certainly a well-grown 

 Oleander is one of the richest of summer- 

 flowering shrubs. To realize the full beauty 

 of the tree — for so, indeed, it becomes — it 

 must be seen in the south of Europe, where, 

 all along the Mediterranean, it flourishes, 

 never failing, even with a minimum of care, 

 to yield its gorgeous display. In no place can 

 it be seen to such advantage as at Hyeres, its 

 chosen home in the south of France, and the 

 great centre of its culture. First introduced 

 into western Europe by the early Phoenician 

 colonists, it has long been naturalized in many 

 parts, more especially in the sheltered vallons 

 and river bottoms of the coast, where at times 

 it flowers in such profusion as to recall to 

 Eastern travellers the summer splendour of the 

 Jordan valley. Each year, for a good part of 

 the summer, Hyeres is a blaze of colour with 

 the Oleanders that one meets at every turn in 

 rounded clumps, 10 to 20 feet high and across, 

 with flowers in all shades, single and double, 

 from vivid rose to yellow and white, borne 

 not in the sparse, half-hearted fashion with 

 which our northern growers must rest con- 

 tent, but in a profusion under which the foli- 

 age well-nigh disappears. Such a tree becomes 

 a landmark, visible for miles, and when the 

 terraces and orange gardens are graced by 

 dozens of such specimens, each with its fra- 

 grant load, the blaze of colour is a sight to 

 be remembered. The fervid southern sun is 



the prime factor in this floral triumph, but 

 careful culture and selection have given rise 

 to a number of varieties never seen in this 

 country, with a wide range in form and colour, 

 including dainty tints in mauve, carmine, and 

 salmon pink. Success is wrapped up in the 

 one phrase, ripened wood (for unripe shoots 

 will not blossom), and to that end fullest ex- 

 posure to air and light at all times. After 

 flowering in summer (usually July) allow the 

 plants a rest with just sufficient water to pre- 

 vent injury, but the fullest exposure, prefer- 

 ably with reflected heat from a wall, as well 

 as direct sunlight. In the event of heavy rain 

 the roots should be kept dry by tilted slates 

 or glass as a protection: these conditions re- 

 produce as nearly as maybe the dry, later 

 summer of its native haunts, when growth 

 ceases almost as completely as in mid-winter. 

 Upon again housing the plants do any trim- 

 ming or cutting back that may be necessary, 

 and encourage growth, which usually starts 

 freely after the period of sufferance, but do not 

 push the plants into some corner until the 

 Chrysanthemums have done blooming — their 

 frequent fate — or previous care will be thrown 

 away. I suspect that the modern run on the 

 Chrysanthemum, and the consequent crowd- 

 ing of houses for weeks together, when plants 

 out of flower are pushed into the background, 

 is responsible for not a few subsequent failures. 

 When frequently sponged and kept in good 

 order, the foliage of the Oleander is attractive, 

 either in the green or the handsomely varie- 

 gated forms. A sharp watch must be kept at 

 all times for scale, red spider and mealy bug, 

 to say nothing of Aspidiatus Nerii, its peculiar 

 enemy, but good culture and healthy growth 

 go far to secure the plants from such attacks. 

 The Oleander may be readily increased either 

 from cuttings of the ripened shoots in early 

 spring, by layers, or even in water during sum- 

 mer, but the most satisfactory course is to get 

 young plants, which may be had very cheaply 

 and in good variety, from the best southern 

 growers. The following list includes the finest 

 named varieties in cultivation : — 



Single-flowered plants, white, or slightly 

 tinted — Adeline, album grandiflorum, Angele 



