Nerium
(the old Greek name used by Dioscorides, from neros, humid; referring to the habit of the species). Oleander. ORD. Apocynaceae. A small genus (two or three species) of very ornamental, erect, greenhouse shrubs, natives of the Mediterranean region and sub-tropical Asia, extending to Japan. Flowers showy, in terminal, shortly pedicellate racemose cymes; corolla pink, white, or yellowish, funnel-shaped; throat crowned by toothed or lacerated segments; lobes five. Leaves three, or rarely four, in a whorl, very rarely opposite, narrow, coriaceous. The leaves are fatal to animals (horses, &c.); the flowers have caused death to those who carelessly picked and ate them, and it is on record that the branches, divested of their bark, and used as skewers, have poisoned the meat roasted on them, and killed seven of twelve people who partook of it. Good plants of Neriums are not unattractive, even when out of flower, on account of their pointed evergreen foliage. The flowers are only produced on mature, wellripened shoots; consequently, the plants must be well exposed to sun and air throughout their period of growth, which is spring and early summer; the flowers appear later in the season. After flowering, a rest should be allowed for a time, by withholding water, which, at other times, should be freely given. The plants may then be cut back, and encouraged to make a little growth before winter. Repot in early spring, according as the different sized plants require, using a compost of loam and decayed manure, in about equal proportions. Neriums are propagated by cuttings of matured leading shoots, inserted in single pots, and placed in a close, warm frame; or they may be rooted successfully in bottles of water, and afterwards potted carefully in soil. Established plants may be placed in a warm position in the open air, in summer, or kept in a light, airy greenhouse. They are subject to several insect pests, especially Red Spider and Mealy Bug. Frequent sponging will be necessary, in order to keep the leaves clean and healthy. N. odorum (sweet-scented). fl. pale red, with an agreeable musky scent; segments of the crown multifid, filamentose at the apex. June to August. l. linear-lanceolate, three in a whorl, coriaceous, with revolute edges, 6in. to 10in. long. h. 6ft. to 8ft. East Indies, 1683. Of this species, the following are varieties: carneum, with flesh-coloured flowers (B. M. 2032); flore-pleno, with flowers nearly double (B. M. 1799).
N. Oleander.* Common Oleander. fl. bright red, rather large; segments of corona trifid or cuspidate. June to October. l. lanceolate, three in a whorl, 4in. to 5in. long, dark green. h. 6ft. to 14ft. Mediterranean region, &c., 1596. (S. F. G. 248.) Varieties. The following is a list of the most desirable varieties of the common Oleander; many of them are of Continental origin: Album plenum. Flowers white, large; corolla double. Very pretty. Cupreatum. Flowers large, single, copper-coloured; lobes well expanded. Free-flowering.
Felix Bourguet. Flowers, inside pale saffron, outside rosy previous to opening, single. Very free-flowering.
Henri Mares. Flowers rosy-pink; corolla double. A beautiful shade of colour. Madame Peyre. Flowers cream, semi-double. A good variety. Madonna grandiflorum. Flowers creamy-white, large; lobes broad; corolla double. Very fine.
Mons. Balaguier. Flowers very pale pink, arge, well expanded. A delicate colour.
Paulin Gregoire. Flowers large, single. Beautiful bright rose colour. Professor Duchartre. Flowers deep rosy-purple, of medium size; corolla double. Fine and distinct.
Professor Durand. Flowers pale yellow, hose-in-hose. Very free-flowering. Rose Double. Flowers bright rose, double. Large and fine. Soeur Agnes. Flowers pure white, single. Very pretty. Souvenir du Felix Dunal. Flowers bright rose, large; corolla double. Very good.
Splendens. Flowers bright red, double.
Variegatum. Flowers red; leaves edged with white or yellow.