The Oleander Garden

When spending time in a foreign country, it's always interesting to observe the different flora. Each climate brings its own treasures. One of Greece's many such treasures is the oleander. This plant thrives in southern Greece, as witnessed by its presence along many country roads. Not only is it able to withstand the hot and dry weather of Greek summers, it has also adapted to the sand and salt from the sea, which "burns" many plants during the winter months. This makes oleander particularly popular in beachfront gardens. While it isn't uncommon to see a home with one or two oleander bushes, my in-law's neighbors opted to line their entire property with this wonderful plant, making for beautiful strolls around the block.