Common name: OLEANDER Arizona, California, and Texas deserts. (Nerium oleander). White, yellow, or red. Spring and summer. Dogbane family. Size: Robust, spreading shrub up to 20 feet high.
Well known and widely grown because of its large clusters of red or white blossoms and glossy, evergreen leaves, the Oleander is one of the handsomest shrubs found under cultivation in towns and cities of the desert. Requiring sub-tropical conditions, easily rooted from cuttings, and rapid in growth, the Oleander thrives in Southwestern desert areas if supplied with plenty of water. It is used individually and as hedgerows in ornamental plantings.
Although blossoms may be present at almost any time of year, the principal flowering season extends from early spring well through the summer. Both the red-flowered and the white-flowered plants are popular and may be grown separately or intermixed. Recently a yellow-flowered form has come into use.
These handsome shrubs immediately attract the attention of northerners visiting desert towns, and arouse their curiosity as to their identity.
WHITE
Nemacladus glanduliferus
Common name: THREADPLANT Arizona desert. (Nemacladus glanduliferus). Purple-white. March-May. California desert. (Nemacladus rigidus). Purple-white. March-May. Bellflower family. Size: 2 to 12 inches tall.
The tiny, slender-stemmed, profusely-branched Threadplant is so small that it is completely overlooked by the majority of visitors to the Southwest, yet it is one of the most common and most attractive of desert flowers. Under a magnifying glass, the shape and coloring of the minute, delicate flowers make them appear as beautiful as orchids. The white flowers are touched with tints of red, brown, yellow, or purple.