From the early-1800s, the north side of the entrance to Galveston (Broadway) was owned by those who were in the cotton packing and shipping business.
In 1841, a Galveston import merchant named Joseph Osterman brought a small oleander bush from the Mediterranean to his sister. She planted it in her yard, and before long it was a plush bush covered from head to toe with small pink flowers.
George Sealy, owner the Cotton Concentration Company, and his wife lived just up the street from Joseph Osterman's sister. If you've been to Galveston, you know the Sealy's home. It's the imposing mansion called Open Gates, and it is on the northeast corner of 25th and Broadway across from the massive Texas Heroes' Monument.
Mrs. Sealy asked Mr. Osterman's sister for some cuttings for her yard, and before long they were giving cuttings from their bushes to their neighbors.
Then the Sealys decided that Galveston's long boulevards would be unique if they were lined with oleanders. So they hired a horticulturist named Eddie Barr, and on the 14 city blocks behind the Cotton Concentration Co. he propagated 60 different varieties.
From them, the Sealys gave away almost a million cuttings.
Working with the Galveston Civic League they planted so many oleanders throughout Galveston, that it became officially known as the Oleander City. And visitors took cuttings and these great flowering bushes ended up decorating the landscaping of southern climate homes all over the U.S.
Because I have long been one of the most prolific chroniclers of Galveston's rich history, five years ago agronomist Robert Newding propagated a new variety of oleander, and it is officially named after me. It's the Bill Cherry oleander. And what an honor!
THE BILL CHERRY OLEANDER
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What a beautiful story, Bill . I am fascinated with history and an avid gardener so your post appealed to me on many levels. Those southern streets must a beauty to behold. Perhaps some day I will make it down that way.
The Bill Cherry Oleander is lovely !
Jo
Let me tell you the funny parts about the Bill Cherry Oleander. I'm 5'5" and you already know that my last name is Cherry.
The Bill Cherry Oleander is a minature bush that grows to about chest high on me and the flowers are cherry red. I'm looking out of my office window as I type this, and the bush that's out there is blooming up a storm, and it will all summer.
If you haven't been to Galveston, my hometown, you must go. The oleanders are magnificant and the historical homes, neighborhoods and iron-front commercial buildings are wonderful in that setting on the Gulf of Mexico.
Thanks for your note, Jo.