Oleander

THE OLEANDER, Nerium oleande

NOT many of our "fine old-fashioned plants" can equal the oleander in beauty and usefulness, and whatever goes to make up the quality called "intrinsic value." Not only is it always worth keeping as a true household plant-a sort of patrician laurel-but it improves with age, and can scarcely be too large for the enjoyment of its buxom beauty, provided it does not grow, as the Vicar's family picture did, to dimensions in excess of the place it is to occupy. Occasionally, but at rare intervals, we meet with family oleanders that are creditable to their owners, and one such we remember in an especial manner, having met with it several years in succession at the Peterborough summer flower show, where we have manifested our approval of it by the award of a special prize, and perhaps a commendation in addition. This fine plant-if we may trust our memory-may be described as about six feet in height and four feet through, leafy from top to bottom, and, when at its best, well sprinkled with glowing flowers that might be likened to roses in form and colour averaging in size about double that of our coloured figure. A considerable number of family oleanders are kept in dark conservatories or lumber-rooms all the winter, and in some obscure corner out of doors all the summer; and, although they grow a little, they are always bare, and rarely flower. All that ails them is starvation, and the remedy, therefore, is to be found in a little generous cultivation.

The oleander is a river-side plant, inhabiting parts of Western Asia and Southern Europe. All river-side plants like good living, being born to mud, water, and warmth. But a cool conservatory, safe from frost, suffices for the preservation of the plant during winter, when it should have a little water occasionally, and a temperature never lower than 35 degree, and for the most part not below 40 degree. When starting into growth in the spring, the plant needs a warm place, and therefore should be put into a sunny greenhouse, and have liberal supplies of weak manure-water. This treatment will promote a free growth, and as she shoots made this season will, if well ripened, bloom the next, it is advisable not to prune the plant at all, although, in common with all such things, it must be pruned at times to keep it within bounds, and to regulate the general contour. It is, however, of importance for the owner of an oleander to bear in mind that when the young shoots are cut back, the next year's flowers are removed with them.