It would be almost an impossible task to attempt to photograph and describe in detail all the oleander cultivars in existence today, many of which are commercially unavailable. It would also lead to a massive, unwieldy tome that no one would read! While only about fifty varieties were offered in southern nurseries in the United States during the 1940's, our most recent estimate of varieties in cultivation is between 400 and 500. In his book Oleanders: Nerium L. and the oleander cultivars, F.J.J. Pagen includes a section entitled "Tentative Checklist of Oleander Cultivars" in which he reviews plant catalogs from Belgium, France, India, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain and the United States, spanning a period of more than 100 years. His "Checklist" of 599 different cultivar names, in which he notes numerous instances of misspellings and synonyms, ultimately represents 401 distinct cultivars for which he provides information on flower type, color, scent, origin and date of origin, as well as the first published reference and its date. This alone occupies 59 pages, more than half his book! Pagen mentions that approximately 175 varieties are available in the nursery trade today (primarily in Europe).

Extensive propagation and hybridizing work are being carried out in Italy. Michele Caponigro, a student in Turin who is writing a thesis on the oleander, has recently corresponded with the International Oleander Society (Nerium News, Spring 1996). From his letter we learn that southern Italy exports around 50,000 potted oleanders a year to northern Europe where they are becoming increasingly popular as house plants. Varieties such as Papa Gambetta,' 'Maria Gambetta' and Pietra Ligure' are some of the new cultivars recorded in the mid 1970's and 1980's.

Oleanders are also widely grown in Israel today and many dwarf as well as hardy forms have been introduced. The Nerium Oleander in Israel, by D. Zafrir, describes and pictures twenty named cultivars. (There is also a factory that extracts cardiac glycosides from oleanders.)

Our handbook is intended to inspire gardeners to cultivate oleanders in all areas of the world. In this first edition we have chosen to highlight some of the latest y rids, including a few that will soon be released, and concentrate our focus on varieties grown in the United States that are, to a greater or lesser extent, available to

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the gardening public. It has been our experience that few things are more exasperating to plant collectors and gardeners than to read about a delightful and desirable group of plants and not be able to find a source for them!

One note that bears repeating is the need for documentation. From personal plant collections to public botanical collections, documentation and labeling are of paramount importance. Clarence Pleasants even made the plea to members of plant societies who discover something unique in a neighborhood garden, to make contact with the owner, impress them with the fact that they have a unique plant, invite them to a meeting of your society and ask them to label the plant so that rare specimens may not be so easily lost as they often tend to be in America's rush to build more freeways and sub divisions. In many states the Department of Transport will inform native plant societies of new road construction. These societies then organize "Plant Rescues" to collect and preserve any rare and endangered species that otherwise might be destroyed.

In many cases a plant name is unknown and the first step in documentation is identification. Until "gene mapping" becomes more readily available and less costly, we must accomplish this by physically comparing plant and flower characteristics to

Hardy Red

other plants or herbarium specimens that are already positively identified. In doing this it is important to be aware that even named cultivars change their flower colors according to the season; some deepen in hue as the season progresses and others become lighter. Colors are also affected by the intensity of the sun or the lack of it; many plants have a deeper color on cloudy days or when grown in filtered light or part shade. The time of day can also be a determining factor. With the advent of cooler weather the colors of many cultivars deepen. This is true with many other flowers

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as well, especially hibiscus. Some authorities suggest that the type of fertilizer applied may also change the color of the flower. Clarence Pleasants once remarked that the colors of many oleanders grown in the city of El Paso appeared much more intense. He believed this to be caused by something in the soil as well as the dry air and intense sun.

Listed below are the basic colors ascribed to each cultivar as it is typically seen. Since there is a plethora of synonyms and names of no horticultural standing, especially regarding cultivars in the United States and Galveston in particular, we are truly indebted to Bob Newding for his systematic observations over the past two years. We have augmented our own studies and observations with his excellent descriptions of many of the oleanders found in Galveston. Our thanks is also due to Clarence Pleasants who helped us with many descriptions.

Hardy Red

Oleander Cultivars in the United States

Red Flowers

Single Red Flowers

'Algiers'™ 'Monal' — A Monrovia introduction from northern Africa (1978). Single, deep red, almost fluorescent flowers, 2 to 3 inches across, are borne on dwarf, free blooming plants from early spring to first frost, providing continuous color.

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Although not as prolific in bloom as the petites, the variety is nonetheless stunning due to the extraordinarily distinctive color. An excellent choice for containers and low hedges. Growth is moderate to fast in the landscape with plants attaining a height and spread of 8 to 10 feet at maturity. A half hardy variety. (See photo, pg. 27)

'Calypso' — Eye catching, iridescent, cherry red blooms. According to Monrovia Nursery in California the plants have been observed to be hardier than 'Pink Beauty' or 'Hardy Red.' It blooms all summer and is Bob Newding's choice for the best red for Galveston. We have seen a striking specimen growing at the water's edge on Galveston Bay adjoining Newding's house, demonstrating that the plants are very salt and wind tolerant as well.

Photo courtesy Monrovia Nursery Company

Ruby Lace™

'Hardy Red' — One of the hardiest oleanders known, withstanding numerous freezes without damage. In the most severe freezes it will be killed to the ground, but with the advent of the first warm weather new, lush growth will rapidly regenerate. Newding observes that flowers have a prominent, white, apical fringe on the anther. (See photos, pgs. 36, 37)

'Little Red' — (Plant patent #4836) Patented by Aldridge Nursery, Von Ormy, Texas, (1982); the parentage was single 'Hardy Red' x 'Scarlet Beauty.' The seed from the cross was collected in 1958 and planted. Of more than 200 seedlings transplanted into the open field in 1959, all but three were inferior to the original parent plants. One of the three appeared to be more dwarfed and cold hardy and was selected for further study. The remaining seedlings were destroyed during the winter of 1966. The flowers of the selected plant are the same deep color as 'Scarlet Beauty' but are smaller than either parent and the plant grows one half or less the size of 'Hardy Red'. Although of excellent color, this variety tends to be a bit temperamental and

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along coastal areas seems to be more susceptible to diseases, windburn and salt damage to the leaves.

'Jannoch' — Listed in Pagen's book as first published in the 1952 catalog from Monrovia Nursery. The flowers are red with a red corona that is highly fringed. The corolla lobes are widely separated. Clarence Pleasants described it as a "big, wide flower" and added that it was a good bloomer, covering the bush with a blanket effect rather than with clumps and clusters. He also noted that plants tended to be rounded, somewhat compact and hardy.

'Marrakesh'™ 'Moned' — A special selection from seedlings grown at Monrovia Nursery and introduced in 1994. The shape is a mounded form and, according to Monrovia, grows only to a height of 5 to 7 feet. It blooms throughout much of the year in California and produces masses of exotic, rich, warm red blooms. Newding says there are very few dwarf reds and this is one of them. He considers it far superior to 'Little Red' but since it is so new more study is needed. (See photo, pg.40)

'Mrs. Robertson' — A very large, fast growing variety that flowers in spring. The blossoms are large and pinwheel shaped, deep cerise with a corona of the same shade. A half hardy plant with very fragrant flowers. (See photo, pg. 23)

'Professor Parlatorre'— In some ways similar to 'Mrs. Robertson'. According to Bob Newding, it is an "uncommon, large, cerise, pinwheel flower with an unusual lavender cast." A large, half hardy plant that flowers heavily in the spring.

'Ruby Lace'™ 'Monvis' — A 1986 Monrovia introduction. A very unusual cultivar with large, 3 inch, pinwheel flowers of intense ruby red. The corolla lobes have scalloped edges with a fringed lip that create the "wavy" appearance of the flower. Intermediate in size, growing to 12 feet in height and as wide with dense, compact foliage. (See photo, pg. 38)

'Scarlet Beauty' — Another favorite of Clarence Pleasants who described it as "a light, showy red, it catches your eye, a different form of red." Newding notes its "deep cherry red, single flowers, at times with blue black margins with a velvet sheen. A beautiful spring bloomer that reblooms sporadically throughout the summer." A half hardy plant with a large, upright form. (See photo, pg. v.)

'Sugarland'™ — (See 'Hardy Red' for description.) An introduction from Hines Nursery discovered by their horticulturist Bill Barr. The variety was found amongst a group of oleanders (all red) in a traffic median in Sugarland, Texas. Bill observed the group of plants for two winters. The plant he selected for hardiness was untouched during freezes that leveled all the other plants in the median to the ground. subsequently, during the freeze of 1983 (single digit measurements for days) while all other oleanders were killed to the ground, 'Sugarland', again, did not even have leaf burn. Hines Nursery had many plants of the variety known as 'Hardy Red' which froze, but herein lies a problem that can only be solved eventually by gene mapping. According to Bill Barr, the plants that froze and were labeled 'Hardy Red' may have been from an unreliable source and might not have been 'Hardy Red' at

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all. Some members of the International Oleander Society believe 'Sugarland' to be the true 'Hardy Red' as growth characteristics and flower color are identical.

Double Red Flowers

'Commandant Barthélemy' — A freeze tolerant old cultivar with large, highly fragrant flowers that are light to medium red with some streaks of white. Clarence Pleasants found it on the outer banks of North Carolina around 1956 where it grew lushly in an area of milder winters. A free flowering plant originated by Sahut in Montpelier, France, and first published in the catalog, Sahut, in 1898. (See photo, pg.16)

'General Pershing'— Even among oleanders this is a unique plant. It is grown not only for its flowers but for its long, stiletto type leaves which attain a length of 12 inches in full sun and even longer in part shade. According to Pleasants the leaves are often twice as big, though not quite twice the width, of most oleanders and distinguish the plant even when not in bloom. It develops a mounding form, tending to weep and spill over rather than grow upright. The flowers are large and a very attractive dark red. Pleasants said it flowers heavily, others note that flowers are borne sparsely. Very hardy. (See photo, pg. 73)

'Mrs. Kempner' — According to Bob Newding, this plant was thought to be lost after the 1983 freeze. Since then two plants have been found that match the description. Newding describes it as "... a gorgeous plant with very rare, deep rose red, triple, carnation like flowers." Half hardy.

Photo courtesy Monrovia Nursery Company

Marrakesh™

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Pink Flowers

Pink seems to be one of the most popular colors in the United States and there are more pink oleanders than any other color.

Single, Light Pink Flowers

'Apple Blossom' — In a letter to Mrs. Corinne E. Kirchem of Galveston, Texas, May 29, 1978, Mr. R.C. Aldridge, Jr., President of Aldridge Nursery, describes the genesis of his cultivar as follows:

Our nursery first grew the Sealy Pink variety in 1936. Our stock was secured from a nurseryman in Corpus Christi, since deceased.

The Sealy Pink was frozen back each winter in our area and north ward so I attempted to create a hardier plant with the same blossom color. In 1939 I hand pollinated a Cardinal variety (Single Hardy Red) with Sealy Pink. Seedlings from this cross were planted in the field in early 1942, about two thousand in all. In 1946 it was apparent that only one of the complete lot was worthy of selection and propagation. When we first offered it to the trade we called it Apple Blossom. It proved to be much hardier than Sealy Pink and has been widely distributed from California to Florida.

'Apple Blossom' is an especially beautiful cultivar with attractive pink flowers in large clusters on a large, rounded, spreading shrub. Kewpie Gaido gave us a

Ella Sealy Newell

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plant some years ago and said it was one of her favorite oleanders. Pleasants mentioned that it grows well in a container and cited an unusual quality:

It can be cut back. When I was at the Flagship for Mardi Gras one time, they wanted me to cut back the 'Apple Blossom' which was over hanging the area where the announcers were going to sit. So, I trimmed it neatly back and then, when I came to work somebody had trimmed it very severely because the Channel 13 crew was going to sit behind it. I said, "That's the end of the blooms." Well, around July when all the new growth came out it had more flowers than usual. It bloomed just the same but even prettier than before. It's a very attractive plant and would make an excellent tub plant, a good driveway plant or a one and only [specimen]. If you had to choose one pink, this would be good. (See photo, front cover)

'Barbara Bush' — Named after the First Lady, this is an especially lovely cultivar that blooms all summer with light blush pink flowers. The plant is intermediate in size and was a favorite of Clarence Pleasants who commented, "She [the First

Lady] didn't give us much publicity. I knew she wouldn't. I imagine they named some aluminum wear after her too. You can't promote all that!" Pleasants observed that the plant remained in bloom throughout the year with a scattering of blooms even in December and January. "It just doesn't want to give up," he wrote. "On the first warm day in spring they'll be some of the first blossoms you see. It's a bushy oleander and it's covered with blooms spring and summer." (See photo, pg. 12)

Frances Moody Newman

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'Lady Kate' — Bob Newding describes it as having "... large, single, pinwheel Flowers that are light blush pink with ruffled edges. The ruffled edges are important and the original description says the lightest of pinks. It's a prolific spring bloomer (in a large, half hardy plant... it doesn't have a lengthy blooming time but the entire plant is covered with flowers and it's very attractive."

'Mrs. Trueheart' — A magnificent free blooming cultivar with large, fragrant, single pink flowers. Pleasants rated it among the top performers and described it as having ". . . big flowers and the stripes in the center are very prominent; it's very fragrant — that turns most people on, me too, and it's bushy, more rounded." Kewpie Gaido also lists it high among her favorites for the flower size, fragrance and lovely shade of pink. (See photo, pg. 20)

'Petite Pink' — An excellent free blooming plant for container culture as it flowers prolifically with masses of soft shell pink blooms and will remain compact if its root system is restricted. In the ground in Galveston it can achieve a height of 8 to 10 feet but with pruning is easily kept in the 4 to 6 foot range. The cultivar was introduced by the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum. (See photo, pg. 93)

Single, Medium Pink Flowers

'East End Pink' — This variety is often sold by nurseries as 'Sealy Pink' (the so called generic 'Sealy Pink'), but is also sometimes sold as 'Pink Beauty' (an example of the license nurseries often use in naming their plants). 'East End Pink' is one of the most floriferous spring bloomers, is very hardy, and is commonly found on the east end of Galveston Island. The corolla lobes are reflexed and the pink flowers have a bluish cast to them. (See photo, pg. 144)

'Ella Sealy Newell' — An uncommon plant bearing medium pink flowers with yellow orange at the base and yellow coronas striped pink. The single flowers are arranged in clusters resembling hydrangeas. Blooms in spring and often throughout the summer. (See photo, pg. 41)

'Frances Moody Newman' — A very attractive, half hardy variety that flowers all summer and is widely planted around Galveston in malls, shopping centers and along highways. The single flowers are a rich deep pink with an iridescent cast. Newding notes that the corona is creamy white with pink stripes. It is named after Mrs. Newman who served on the Board of Directors of the Moody Foundation in Galveston. (See photo, pg. 42)

'George Sealy' — A beautiful plant but rare because it is tender. This was another favorite of Clarence Pleasants for its fragrant, deep pink flowers with striped, deep reddish pink coronas. It flowers in very attractive clusters and is good as a pot Plant since it is medium sized and very floriferous even in small containers. (See Photo, pg. 125)

Hardy Pink' — Bob Newding believes this to be a generic name for 'Pink Beauty' and therefore a name of no botanical standing.

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'Henry Rosenberg' — An unusual variety bearing medium pink, star shaped flowers with thin, rose pink stripes in the throat. Plants are large, half hardy and bloom primarily in the spring. (There is a good specimen in a planter at the south entrance to the Rosenberg Library in Galveston.) (See photo, pg. 24)

'Kewpie' — The story of the discovery of the oleander named 'Kewpie' was related to us by Clarence Pleasants and is illustrative of how many superior plants have resulted from chance seedlings. Ethyl May Koehler, Kewpie Gaido's close friend, found an unusual plant whose flowers reminded her of Kewpie and after receiving permission from the owner, Clarence helped dig it up. The flowers were pink with some blossoms strongly variegated; one branch consistently produced flowers that were all variegated. This sport was rooted and named in honor of Mrs. Kewpie Gaido. It is a large pinwheel shaped flower, variegated pink and white. Plants are free blooming and half hardy. (See photo, pg. vi.)

'Martha Hanna Hensley' — One of the most beautiful cultivars with delicate pink and white variegated flowers borne in large tight clusters and emitting a light fragrance. Plants are compact and bloom at a very early age. (See photo, pg. 28)

'Mrs. Masterson'

— Delicate, pink, bell shaped flowers with creamy white throats marked with light rose pink stripes. The calyx is yellow green without prominent sepals. Plants are large and bloom early in the season.

'Pink Beauty' — A spring blooming plant that has large windmill shaped flowers and extraordinary, swollen, swirled buds shaped like parasols just beginning to open. Pleasants liked it for a number of reasons, among these the fact that it makes an excellent standard, adapts very well to diverse cultural conditions and has large

Mrs. Eugenia Fowler

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flowers that simply cover the plant at its peak of bloom. Introduced by Monrovia Nursery in California in their 1952 catalog, it makes a superb windbreak and is especially suited for large hedges. Often sold under the name 'Hardy Pink'. (See photo, P 25)

'Pleasants Postoffice Pink'—Named by the International Oleander Society to honor Clarence Pleasants who

discovered the plant growing on Postoffice Street in Galveston, Texas. The large, single flowers are medium to dark pink and are borne from early spring into summer on large plants. Bob Newding tells us the only plants in cultivation are found on the northwest side of Open Gates, the former Sealy mansion, in Galveston. (See photo, pg. 133)

'Sealy Pink' — 'Sealy Pink' is a generic term used by nurseries to refer to any single pink oleander and is a name of no botanical standing according t Newding. He further notes that the plant usually described as 'Sealy Pink' is actually 'George Sealy'.

Mrs. Eugenia Fowler

'Tangier'™ 'Monta'—A Monrovia introduction from northern Africa in 1978, this is beautiful free blooming cultivar with soft pink, single flowers in spring. As summer progresses the flowers change to a medium pink. Moderate to fast growing; becomes 8 to 10 feet tall in the landscape. (See photo, pg. 31)

'Turner's Flirt'™ — This dwarf to medium sized Turner hybrid blooms eight to nine months of the year. Upon opening flowers are an iridescent hot pink with red stripes and yellow throats and later fade to light pink, giving the clusters a lovely shaded quality. One of the most unique characteristics is the scent which is reminiscent of double bubble gum! (See photo, pg. 54)

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'Turner's Tickled Pink'™ — (Patent pending 5/1/90) A Turner hybrid that offers many unique qualities. Turner describes it as having single, light peach pink, candy striped flowers with red yellow coronas. The corolla lobes change to pinkish lavender or orchid at the outer edge giving the flower a pinwheel effect. Medium sized clusters are borne throughout the plant. This is another good choice for containers with its compact, upright growth and free blooming habit. In the ground it can reach 4 to 6 feet but can be easily pruned to less than 4 feet, (although some plants in Galveston have reached over 12 feet). Hybridized by Ted L. Turner, Sr. and named by his daughter Shari. (See photo, pg. 69)

Double and Semi Double (Hose in Hose) Pink Flowers

'John Samuels' — A very rare variety with fully double, rich deep pink flowers with slightly ruffled edges. Named in honor of the Samuels family in Galveston, there is only one plant known to exist on the island. (See photo, pg. 96)

'Mrs. Burton' — Gorgeous, fragrant, rose pink flowers are both double and semi double and somewhat ruffled. A rare plant, very desirable and very beautiful, blooming all summer. Pleasants recommended it highly, remarking that the pink is striking against the dark green leaves, and suggested that it would be a good plant to grow in more northerly areas because it offers the added bonus of being very fragrant. (See photo, pg. xiv)

'Mrs. Eugenia Fowler' — A late spring flowering cultivar that blooms prolifically with flowers literally covering the plant. Its branches will actually weep from the weight of the blossoms. This is a large, hardy variety that Newding remembers being ". . . planted around many Galveston public schools prior to 1950. Those plantings survive at the site of the former Crockett School, now a Galveston College parking lot at 39th and Ave. Q." (See photos, pgs. 44,45)

'Mrs. Isadore Dyer' — A fully double pink that came to Galveston from Jamaica in 1841, this variety blooms almost all summer, is hardy and has very fragrant flowers. In spring, blossoms are light pink with a single, white stripe through all the petals. As hot weather increases the flowers turn a much deeper pink. Pleasants noted that it is often sold in nurseries as 'Double Hardy Pink'. (See photos, pgs. 18,19)

'Mrs. Runge' — A most unique cultivar with its large, fragrant, double, deep rose pink flowers that stand out against the strikingly variegated, yellow and green leaves. It must be grown under good conditions or will be temperamental since the leaf area has so little chlorophyll due to the variegation. (See photo, pg. 66)

'Mrs. Swanson' — A double, light pink cultivar, blooming from spring through summer. Originally from California, it has evidently traveled widely as Clarence Pleasants brought it from Virginia to Galveston, Texas. He considered it to be even hardier than 'Mrs. Isadore Dyer'. Growth is upright rather than spreading.

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Salmon Flowers

(Includes salmon pink, apricot and peach shades)

Single Salmon Flowers

'Agnes Campbell' — A vigorous plant that flowers in the spring with attractive large, salmon pink to creamy salmon, pinwheel shaped flowers with yellow coronas. Bob Newding calls it a half hardy plant with a vigorous growth habit and says, "I mean vigorous! It grows faster than any oleander I have in my yard." For all its vigor, plants grow compactly with dense foliage. (See photo, pg. 26)

'Franklin D. Roosevelt' — Named in honor of President Roosevelt on his visit to Galveston in 1938, this very hardy, intermediate sized plant thrives in Galveston, growing in several of the fishing camps along the waterfront and in the esplanade on 1 45 entering the city. Flowers are a unique salmon orange that turn almost coppery orange as the season progresses. Newding says of it, "... people comment and say, 'What is that beautiful oleander?' Grown in mass plantings it is an incredible splash of color and one that will bloom from spring to mid summer — which is fairly long, even though it's not a free bloomer." Pleasants considered it a good container plant and said it blooms more than 'Hawaii'. (See photo, pg. 114)

'Hawaii' — A favorite of John Kriegel, Director of Gardens at Moody Gardens in Galveston, it is one of the loveliest of all oleanders but one of the most tender. (Newding lists 'Kathryn Childers', 'Hawaii', and 'Casablanca' as the most tender plants in his yard and the only plants that showed any real damage in 28 to 30 degree temperatures.) A very attractive, almost free blooming plant with large, single, salmon pink flowers with somewhat pinwheel shaped corolla lobes, widely separated and squared at the tip. The yellow gold throat is marked with faint pink stripes. For best performance Newding recommends planting in a protected place with southern exposure. An excellent plant for container culture. We observed it in striking bloom in Grand Cayman in February of 1996. (See photo, pg. 154)

'Lane Taylor Sealy' — Clarence Pleasants especially liked this variety for its large, fragrant, light salmon flowers with pale yellow coronas striped slightly deeper salmon. According to Clarence, it is a prolific bloomer and very striking, even though the flowers do not cover the plants. Newding agrees it is a prolific spring bloomer and a hardy plant.

'Petite Salmon' — Introduced by the Los Angeles State and County Arboreturn, this free blooming variety bears single, bright salmon pink flowers with yellow coronas. One of the first introductions to bloom continuously in warm climate areas, it is ideally suited to container culture and also makes an excellent low hedge. (See photo, pg. 48)

'Turner's Carnival'™ — (Plant patent #6339) Hybridized by Ted Turner, Sr. who chose the name because, in his words, it is a "circus" of colors. Single, salmon pink flowers are streaked with dark pink and the curled petals are outlined with burgundy. The plant is everblooming, a small grower easily kept to 3 feet in height and, according to Ted Turner, Sr., is the most "petite" of all oleanders to

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date. It is excellent planted as a low hedge or as a single, colorful highlight in the garden and is an ideal pot plant. (See photo, pg. 70)

Double Salmon Flowers

'Mrs. F. Roeding' — In a letter to Clarence Pleasants in July, 1981, Mr. George C. Roeding, Jr., of the California Nursery Company, relates the origin of Mrs. F. Roeding:

I am enclosing a photocopy of an old catalog which indicates that the "Mrs. F. Roeding" was originated by my father in 1905. Our nursery, at that time, was known as Fancher Creek Nurseries which became part of the nurseries known as and owned today by the California Nursery Company. The "Mrs. F. Roeding" variety is planted along many of our highways in California and is also used for the home. As you may know, it blooms quite profusely and is more compact than most of the oleander grown today.

The 1905 Fancher Creek catalog gives a commendable description:

This magnificent double Oleander, originated by us, is a chance seedling out of several thousand raised from the imported varieties. [Clarence Pleasants stated that this was one of a group of Japanese seeds sent to the above nursery] If properly pruned to one stem, the branches form a fine, compact, dense head, covered in summer with trusses of

Petite Salmon

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beautiful double pink flowers, (the color of the La France rose) delightfully fragrant, with fringed petals which completely envelope the plant. More hardy than any other variety and is in every respect a very superior Oleander; worthy of a place in every garden.

The large flowers are salmon pink deepening to almost salmon orange later in the season during the hottest weather. 'Mrs. F. Roeding' prefers full sun but is one of the few plants that will do well with only morning sun. (See photo, pg. ii)

'Mrs. Lucille Hutchings' — A large, hardy plant on the scale of 'Ed Barr' and 'Mathilde Ferrier', this variety makes a fine screen. It requires plenty of room but little tie care. Not too attractive when out of bloom but in flower it is truly spectacular with large blossoms of a delicate peach shade and the tips of the petals tinged pink. (See photo, pg. 34)

Yellow Flowers

Single Yellow Flowers

'Centennial' — Newding remarks, "Actually, it looks like a fried egg! It has a I ! orange center and when it fades a little it looks white, but it's really a light creamy yellow with a very decided orange center. It was named Centennial in commemoration of the 1991 centennial of the University of Texas Medical Branch whose colors are orange — bright orange." The corona is distinctly striped and plants are half hardy. (See photo, pg. 139)

'I. Lovenberg'— Very pleasing, creamy yellow, star shaped flowers that don't open all the way. According to Bob Newding it is the same as the variety named 'Isle of Capri' introduced by Monrovia Nursery. This half hardy plant can get quite large but is extremely attractive, flowering all summer. (See photo, pg. 4)

'Isle of Capri' — (See 'I. Lovenberg', above)

'Turner's Kim Bell'™ — A free blooming variety that has a very long blooming season. Large buds open to beautiful yellow flowers .with curved corolla lobes and a bright yellow corona striped with red. The blossom carries a rose potpourri fragrance. A Turner hybrid named after Kimberly Bell of Corpus Christi, Texas. (See photo, pg. 98)

'Sue Hawley Oakes' — A lovely plant bearing single, creamy medium yellow, bell shaped blooms with yellow throats. Flowers appear not to open completely and are described by some as vaguely star shaped. Leaves are dark green with slightly cupped edges. Plants are intermediate in size and somewhat tender but highly prized for their ornamental qualities. (See photo, pg. 22)

'Turner's Shari D.'™ (Patent #5378) — The first of the Turner* hybrids that is truly a breakthrough, named after Ted Sr.'s daughter Shari Delane. The Turners offer the following description: "Free blooming/ single flowers, a soft buff yellow color with tinges of pink. Blossom clusters are extremely large and, in fact, at a distance

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resemble Rhododendron blossoms. Growth is full and upright. Good for hedges, garden color, small multi trunk trees and containers. Blooms April 1st through first frost; but will bloom year round with mild winters." Although Shari D. prefers full sun it will also bloom in part shade, requiring only morning sun to flower. Growth is in the 6 to 8 foot range but can be kept at 5 feet with pruning. Plants are half hardy according to Newding. It is also noted by many growers, including the Turners, that the flowers change color with the day and the season. Cloudy days tend to bring out significantly more yellow and with the sun and heat of summer flowers tend to fade almost to white. (See photo, pg. 146)

Wimcrest — A rare plant discovered by Oleander Society member Elizabeth Head on Wimcrest Street in Galveston, Texas. The original plant was destroyed but has been propagated by Bob Newding and others and is now a part of the International Oleander Society's Reference Collection. Newding describes the large, single flowers as having light yellow petals and prominent, medium yellow centers. Medium large, reasonably hardy plants that rebloom. Deep green leaves have occasional yellow splotches. Should be propagated for planting around the island.

Double and Semi Double (Hose in Hose) Yellow Flowers

'Mathilde Ferrier'— A very large, hardy plant that is excellent as a small tree, ( either trained as a standard or multi trunk. When planted in the ground as a shrub ( it needs a lot of room. The double flowers are a soft yellow and very attractive. Perhaps the most common double yellow in Galveston and although often neglected, it responds well to annual pruning and feeding. (See photo, pg. 76)

Harriet Newding

'Sorrento' — Newding calls it probably the most tender of all the oleanders: "I don't know of any that burns quicker in the wind or is more susceptible freeze, but it has an absolutely gorgeous, soft, creamy, almost lemon sherbetlored bloom. It's very delicate, very beautiful." This is an excellent, free blooming plant for container culture and can easily be kept compact. Our photo is of Rnb Newding standing by 'Sorrento' and 'Hawaii'. Both plants were flowering profusely one block from the sea at Gaido's Motel. They were planted against a masonry wall that reflects light and absorbs heat during the day releasing it at night but, equally important, blocks the gulf wind preventing desiccation of the leaves. (See photo, back cover)

White Flowers

Single White Flowers

'Casablanca'™ 'Monca' — A Monrovia Nursery introduction from northern Africa in 1978. Compact and free blooming, plants bear clusters of single, pure white flowers with maroon sepals that appear almost lavender at times. Growth in the ground is moderately fast; height is 8 to 10 feet with about the same width. (See photo, pg. 57)

'Ed Barr' — A big plant that will quickly form a screen around tennis courts or the perimeter of a yard, or hide unsightly areas. An exceptionally hardy variety that bears prodigious quantities of large, white flowers with yellow coronas and remains in bloom most of the summer. This cultivar can get to 18 feet in height with a 10 foot spread if left unpruned but with yearly pruning can be kept to 10 to 12 feet by about 6 feet. (See photo, pg. 58)

'Hardy White' — A name of no recognized standing. Plants listed under this name by nurseries are most commonly 'Sister Agnes' or 'Ed Barr'.

'Harriet Newding' — When we first saw this flower at the Oleander Festival in 1994 we were very impressed with its uniqueness. A seedling that Bob Newding found growing amongst two varieties, 'Hardy Red' and 'Ed Barr,' the plant and flower appear to have characteristics of both— the shape is exactly the same as 'Hardy Red' but the flowers are a parchment white with red sepals and a red stripe extending from the corona through the center of the petals. It is named in honor of Bob Newding's mother. (See photo, pg. 50)

'Morocco'™ 'Monte' — A special selection from seedlings grown at Monrovia ursery and introduced in 1994. The shape is mounded and according to Monrovia, grows only to a height of 5 to 7 feet. The bright white flowers are borne abundantly or nluch ot the year in warmer climates. (See photo, pg. 56)

'Mrs. Willard Cooke' — A very hardy plant that doesn't get as large as 'Ed , 'Barr and bears masses of blooms from spring through most of the summer. Large,white, pinwheel flowers develop a streaked red corona as the growing season continues. It is Planted on the esplanade in Galveston on 1 45. Pleasants said it might be

classified as the first plant to bloom because even when it is still chilly you will see

Page 51

blossoms appearing in a warm spot, usually near the ground. (See photos, pgs. 64, 65)

Turner's Kathryn Childers Showing Flowers on present and previous year's inflorescences

'Mrs. Kelso' — Single, pure white, starshaped flowers with corolla edges curved slightly upwards are borne on intermediatesized plants. A spring bloomer; half hardy.

'Mrs. Moody' — Plants known by this name may not be the original 'Mrs. Moody' according to Bob Newding, but a similar variety. He describes it as a pure white flower with faint pink stripes in the corona.

'Sister Agnes'—A beautiful free-flowering variety that is not quite as hardy as some of the other whites but bears great masses of blooms and does exceptionally well on Galveston Island. The single, white flowers are slightly larger than those of 'Ed Barr/ A grower we know in Florida says it is commonly cultivated throughout the state and one of the easiest plants to grow. (See photo, pg. 74)

'Turner's Daisy'™ — So named because the open-faced flowers in loose clusters remind one of daisies. Borne profusely from April to the first frost, flowers are creamy-beige to yellow edged with blush pink; the yellow corona is striped red. Plants are petite to dwarf and make a fine hedge or a lovely small standard with a weeping, almost oriental effect. (See photo, pg. 102)

'Turner's Elaine Turner'™ — A free-blooming, extremely petite and compact plant with large blossoms of luminous ivory edged with blush pink and yellow, candy-striped coronas. Blooms in loose clusters year round in mild climates and from spring until frost in Zones 8 and 9. Hybridized by Ted L. Turner, Sr. and named for his loving wife Elaine. (See photo, pg. 33)

'Turner's Kathryn Childers'™ — (Plant patent pending 5/1/90) A lovely cul • r created by Ted Turner to honor a television celebrity and close friend from ," nus Christi, Texas. Kathryn Childers has led a fascinating life and, according to • Turners, recently retired to devote herself to writing. While in the Secret Service • her 20's, Ms. Childers was assigned to President Kennedy's children and later to President Johnson's children. The plant named for her is free blooming with soft hite flowers blushed pale pink. Flowers do not bloom in clusters but rather cover the entire plant. Full and upright growth makes it excellent for hedges and multitrunk trees though it also does well in containers. 'Kathryn Childers' blooms all summer and in mild winters will flower on the previous year's inflorescences. (See photos, pg. 52 & 145)

'Turner's Sissy King'™ — A free blooming, dwarf variety with flowers in tight clusters. Individual blossoms have petals of buff ivory blushed with pink and candystriped coronas. In Corpus Christi, it blooms from April 1st to frost but will flower year round in milder climates. Hybridized by Ted Turner, Sr. and named for a close friend Mrs. Richard King III. (See photo, pg. 30)

Double and Semi Double (Hose in Hose) White Flowers

'Magnolia Willis Sealy' — This is Bob Newding's #1 choice for a semi double white because, in his words, ". . . it hits all the high points of an oleander; very attractive flowers, relatively hardy, blooms all summer and is fragrant and dependable." Pleasants also listed it as his top selection for a double white. "If I lived in a colder area I would plant 'Ed Barr' first," he says, "I would classify it as hardier. 'Magnolia Willis Sealy' blooms even heavier than 'Ed Barr' and it blossoms from the spring to the cool fall. 'Magnolia Willis Sealy' has these great big, huge clusters of white flowers, very fragrant and a good tub plant." (See photo, pg. 118)

'Mrs. Knox' — A large plant that bears hose in hose flowers of the purest white with maroon calyces and rounded corolla lobes. The stems of the cymes are distinctly maroon as well. Plants are half hardy and flower heavily in the spring.

The world's senseless beauty mirrors God's delight.

That rapture's smile is secret everywhere;

It flows inthe wind's breath, in the tree's sap,

It's hued magnificence blooms in leaves and flowers.

Sri Aurobindo,

Savitri

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