Oleander City
Before I purchased The Bungalow, I had long been a frequent visitor to Galveston. And, each time I crossed the causeway onto the island, I was greeted by the sight of the lush and beautiful oleander bushes lining Broadway. I never failed to notice and truly appreciate them!
But, it was not until I became a homeowner here that I realized Galveston is known as The Oleander City and home of the International Oleander Society. It makes sense! Oleanders are everywhere!
The first oleanders came to Galveston in 1841 when Joseph Osterman, a prominent merchant, brought them by ship from Jamaica. He gave them to his wife and sister-in-law, Isadore Dyer, who found them easy to cultivate and gave them to friends and neighbors. The familiar double pink variety that Isadore grew has been named for her.
As early as 1846, the yards in Galveston were full of oleanders, and the beauty they added to the city was duly noted. Oleanders flourished in the city because they were able to easily withstand the subtropical weather, the alkaline soil and the salt spray. Thus, oleanders ultimately became the dominant bushes used in the replanting of the city following the destruction of the Great Storm of 1900.
In 1912, the Women’s Health Protective Association planted 2500 oleander bushes - many along Broadway, the entrance to the city, and on 25th Street, the pathway to the beach front. In a few short years, oleanders made a spectacular display of blooms for citizens and visitors.
Later, the name of the WHPA was changed to the Women’s Civic League, and the plantings continued for many years. The bushes were alongside city streets, in parks and yards, around public buildings and schools. Soon the whole city became a garden of oleanders.
According to an editorial in the Galveston Tribune, “As early as 1908… the oleander was emblematic of Galveston and that people came from all over to see them.”
In 1910, The Galveston Daily News also reported that Galveston was known throughout the world as “The Oleander City” and in 1916, an article named it one of the most beautiful cities in the South.
Through the pollination of the two original Galveston Oleanders, ‘Mrs. Isadore Dyer’ and ‘Ed Barr’, many hybrids have been created throughout the century. Many of these have been distributed all over the United States and, today, are growing everywhere the climate is amicable. Today, corals, yellows, reds, pinks and whites in singles and double forms are found in the warmer climates of America.
In May 1967, the National Oleander Society (later changed to the International Oleander Society) was born, thanks to the vision of Maureen Elizabeth “Kewpie” Gaido and Clarence Pleasants.
Inspired by Pleasants (known as “Mr. Oleander”) Kewpie promoted the oleander all over the world. In 1971, she corresponded with Ronald Reagan, (then Governor of California), after learning he had designated oleander plantings along many miles of California freeways. She also talked with Lady Bird Johnson concerning her own promotion of the oleander around Texas.
Oleanders in History
According to the International Oleander Society, “Oleanders were found in Ancient Greek, Roman and Chinese gardens. In China, the cultivation of oleanders was a hobby of literary men who adorned their studies with cut Oleander blooms.
Due to the preserving layers of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, we know that Oleanders were also grown in the gardens of Pompeii. They were the plant most often painted on Pompeian murals (circa 79 A.D.) and were usually found represented in informal settings as background plants or mass plantings in the unique, traditional garden wall paintings whereby the Pompeians created the illusion that their gardens extended far into the countryside.
The Hebrew holy text, The Talmud, mentions the oileander numerous times, especially in the Mishnah, the first part, compiled around 200 A.D.”
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2022
- Mar 17, 2022 Ivy Dishes
- Jan 29, 2022 Grace Episcopal Church
- Jan 1, 2022 100 Years
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2021
- Aug 25, 2021 My Fig Tree
- Apr 28, 2021 Darlene's Shrimp
- Apr 24, 2021 Oleander Festival
- Feb 27, 2021 Great Winter Storm
- Feb 10, 2021 The Mourning Wave
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2020
- Oct 26, 2020 Crepe Myrtles
- Sep 18, 2020 Trimming the Palms
- Jul 19, 2020 The Dancers
- Jul 11, 2020 Postcards
- Jun 20, 2020 Resilience Flag
- Jun 19, 2020 Juneteenth
- Jun 10, 2020 Silk Stocking
- May 27, 2020 Tree Sculptures
- May 6, 2020 Babe's Beach
- Apr 22, 2020 Opera House
- Mar 2, 2020 Texas Heroes Monument
- Feb 15, 2020 Mardi Gras Parade
- Jan 19, 2020 St. Joseph's Church
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2019
- Dec 15, 2019 Celebrations
- Nov 6, 2019 Fresh Paint
- Oct 21, 2019 Jazz Age Series
- Oct 20, 2019 ARToberFEST
- Oct 6, 2019 Stingeree
- Oct 5, 2019 Pumpkin Time
- Oct 2, 2019 Sea Turtles
- Sep 29, 2019 Powhatan House
- Sep 24, 2019 The Dolphins
- Sep 5, 2019 Lucas Apartments
- Aug 24, 2019 Sandcastles
- Aug 9, 2019 The Daily News
- Jul 18, 2019 Beach Walk
- Jul 10, 2019 La King's
- May 25, 2019 Pleasure Pier
- May 1, 2019 Bolivar Ferry
- Mar 15, 2019 Saengerfest Park
- Jan 19, 2019 Moody Mansion
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2018
- Dec 18, 2018 The Vintage Suitcase
- Dec 17, 2018 Festival of Lights
- Dec 2, 2018 Sunday Brunch
- Nov 21, 2018 Hendley Row
- Oct 27, 2018 Island Oktoberfest
- Sep 20, 2018 The Strand Clock
- Sep 16, 2018 St. Mary Cathedral
- Aug 11, 2018 No More Shed
- Jun 10, 2018 Rosenberg Library
- May 7, 2018 Stepping It Up
- May 3, 2018 A Happy Hour
- May 1, 2018 Ashton Villa
- Apr 21, 2018 96th Birthday
- Apr 1, 2018 Seawolf Park
- Mar 27, 2018 Ball High School
- Mar 15, 2018 East End
- Feb 1, 2018 Tremont House
- Jan 26, 2018 Menardi Gras
- Jan 24, 2018 Mardi Gras Decor
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2017
- Dec 1, 2017 Miss Ruby
- Oct 8, 2017 Railroad Museum
- Oct 7, 2017 Tall Ship Elissa
- Sep 9, 2017 Star Drug Store
- Sep 8, 2017 1900 Storm Statue
- Aug 6, 2017 The Turquoise Table
- Aug 1, 2017 Bishop's Palace
- Jul 23, 2017 Garten-Verein
- Jul 21, 2017 Yard Work
- Jul 16, 2017 The Strand
- Jun 17, 2017 Stewart Beach
- Jun 7, 2017 The Original
- Jun 3, 2017 Murdochs
- May 27, 2017 Bryan Museum
- May 19, 2017 Firemen on Call
- May 13, 2017 Williams-Borden Neighborhood
- May 1, 2017 Oleander City
- Apr 28, 2017 God Winks