Now In Bloom - Opuntia

The sun finally came out and my little prickly pear cactus (Opuntia compressa) opened its first flower. A gift from my brother-in-law who bought it near Mossyrock as an unlabeled bit of green stuck in a pot, it's the only cactus in my garden.

Supposedly not hardy here, my opuntia made it through the winter mingling with other succulents in a large trough for good drainage. The trough is up against the house for shelter, and under the eaves to keep these drought-lovers out of the rain.

The tissue-paper-like, fluffy layers of clear yellow flower are so incongruous with the prickly pads of the cactus. Such delicate bravado reminds us that flowers are the sexual parts of the plant - it's a flower's job to beguile. I'm not falling for the spiny allure of these desert plants, but the flowers are so unexpected and exciting I might need to seek out a few more hardy kinds to tuck under the eaves...

 

Comments

[Kristine Hill]

Can you please tell me where I could purchase or view the wire garden cages by Carl Ulmschneider - saw a picture in NW Magazine this morning and fell in love with them!! Thank-you

[valerie Easton]

Hi Kristine,
Aren't those wire cages gorgeous? And so practical - I have a tall one I grow sweet peas on in summer, and put by the front door and drape with Christmas lights in winter...

Museo Gallery on First Street in Langley sells Carl's cages, as does Cultus Bay Nursery on South Whidbey Island....they have a good selection...
Val

[Rita McCoy]

I am curious about the article in Seattle paper on July 4th. In "A Tall Order" you recomended, among other plants, Castor Bean, since the plant I know of is poisonous I wondered if a variety has been developed that is not and that is the one you mentioned?.

[valerie Easton]

Hi Rita,
The castor bean (Ricinus communis)is poisonous if ingested, as are many other familiar garden plants. This doesn't mean we shouldn't grow them....you might want to think twice about growing it if you have a small child or puppy in the garden...