This here, it’s about that standard oleander. You know, them pretty plants with the flowers. Lots of folks like plantin’ ’em. They’re easy, they say, ain’t got to fuss over ’em much. Just plant ’em and they grow, kinda like weeds, but the pretty kind.
Now, I hear tell they like the sun. Gotta have that good light, you see. That’s how they get them flowers. If you got one inside, put it near a window, a real sunny one. I reckon that’s why they do so good in them hot places. They like that warm weather, just bake in the sun all day. Like me sittin’ on the porch in my old chair.
- Need lots of sun, that’s the important part.
- They like it warm, like down south warm.
- Don’t need a whole lot of fussin’ over.
Folks use ’em like a fence, I reckon. They get big, see, big ol’ bushes. Keeps folks from peekin’ in your yard, I guess. They’re tough, too. Don’t need a lot of water once they get goin’. Good for them places where it don’t rain much. We had a dry spell last year, near killed everything in my garden, but them oleanders, they didn’t even blink.
They come from that place ‘cross the big water, that Medi-terra-nean place. Sounds fancy, don’t it? But they grow just fine here. These standard oleander, they got them pretty flowers, all different colors. And them leaves, green and shiny. Makes a place look nice, I reckon.
Now, I ain’t no expert, but I hear folks talkin’. They say you gotta plant ’em right, gotta have the right dirt. And you gotta water ’em, ‘specially when they’re little. And they get bugs, just like anythin’. And sometimes they get sick, yellow leaves and such. Ain’t nothin’ perfect, I always say.
You gotta cut ’em back sometimes, too. Keeps ’em lookin’ tidy, I guess. Cut ’em in the winter, when it’s cold, before they start growin’ again in the spring. Just like when I cut my hair, it was too long. Snip snip, all the dead stuff gone. Makes ’em grow better, they say. You cut off the dead branches, the ones that ain’t got no leaves or flowers. And you cut back the long ones, the ones that are stickin’ out too far. Keeps ’em lookin’ nice and neat.
And if you want more of ’em, you just cut off a piece, a long piece with some leaves on it. But not one with flower buds. You stick it in some water. Gotta change that water, though, keep it fresh, just like you’re waterin’ a plant. Then you wait. Takes a while, a month or so, they say. Then you see them little roots startin’ to grow. That’s when you know it’s workin’. Then you can plant it in the dirt, just like a regular plant. And you’ll get a whole new bush, just like that. It’s like magic, ain’t it? It will become a new standard oleander.
This standard oleander is easy to grow. Lots of people plant them. They make pretty flowers. Some folks plant them around their land, all in a row. Makes a pretty fence, I reckon.
So that’s what I know about them oleanders. They’re pretty, they’re tough, and they ain’t hard to grow. Just give ’em some sun, some water when they’re little, and cut ’em back every now and then. And they’ll grow big and strong, and make your yard look real nice. Just like them fancy folks do. But don’t tell them I said that, they might get the big head.
- They’re from that Medi-terra-nean place.
- You can plant ’em like a fence.
- You can grow new ones from cuttin’s.
- Cut them back in the winter time, before spring.
I remember old Mrs. Henderson, she had a whole row of ’em, all along her driveway. Prettiest things you ever did see. She was real proud of ’em. Used to sit out there on her porch and just look at ’em. Said they reminded her of her trip to that Medi-terra-nean place. She went there with her husband, back before he passed. Said it was the most beautiful place she ever did see. I reckon that’s why she liked them oleanders so much. Reminded her of the good old days.
This oleander, like i said, need sun to have flowers. They need that light. Plant them in the right place, they will grow well. Don’t plant them in the dark place, won’t get any flowers. If you want flowers, you must plant them in sunny place. That’s the key. That’s why this standard oleander is so good. So many flowers if you do it right.
This oleander, tough plant, you know. They don’t need much care. This is why they are good. Don’t need to water all the time. If it’s dry, they are still okay. This is good for place where no rain. They can live. I think this is good. Make life easy.
Well, I reckon that’s about all I got to say about them oleanders. Hope you learned somethin’. Maybe you’ll even plant some yourself. They’re good plants, I tell ya. Just remember what I said, and you’ll be just fine. And if you see old Mrs. Henderson, tell her I said hello. She’ll know who you’re talkin’ about. We’re the only ones who talk about them oleanders so much. It’s our little secret, you see. Our little secret about them pretty plants from that fancy place ‘cross the big water. Yeah, those standard oleander are pretty.
