The Oleander City | The Betty Head Oleander Garden & The international Oleander Society

Did you know Galveston is known as the Oleander city? Galveston’s first oleander arrived from Jamaica in 1841 as a gift from Joseph Osterman, a prominent merchant to his wife. Since then we have seen Galveston become home to the most expansive diversity of Oleander. The Galveston Climate and soil is perfect for Oleanders. It thrives throughout the year all over the island. Galveston’s international Oleander society maintains the Betty Head Oleander Garden The International Oleander Society was established in 1967 to promote Galveston as the Oleander City by cultivating and preserving oleanders for the beautification of Galveston Island. Be sure to mark your calendars for the International Oleander Festival that happens here every spring! Oleanders are beautiful, but deadly! So do not let your pet or child chew on the flowers leaves or stems! Oleander is actually used in a variety of poisons.  But that’s no reason not to enjoy the beauty of oleanders all over the island! On a nice sunny day, take a walk around the Betty Head Oleander Garden, who knows, some of those oleanders may stem back to 1841!

Interested in information covered in this episode? Reference links below:
The Oleander City | A history
International Oleander Society
Oleander Toxicity

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