cacti in bloom

Cholla bloom

Tree Cholla from Colorado is doing fine in Utah, blooming for the first time in 2013.

Cactus bloom

Cold hardy opuntia (prickly pear) with purple pads.

Success at last!

These Opuntia Fragilis (fragile prickly pear) lived up to their name.  I purchased the original "nuggets" 7 years ago and they were always getting kicked around the garden as the roots aren't deep enough to hold them in place.  Finally I gave up and tried them out in a terra cotta pot.  Apparently that is what they needed, at least in my not-so-peaceful garden.  They thrived last year, survived a very cold winter, and finally bloomed this year!  The blue rocks are from Catoctin Creek in Virginia on my dad's property.

Golden yellow prickly pear cactus

The bitter cold winter of 2012-2013 didn't affect the cold hardy cacti this year.  In fact, the blooms this year are the best yet.  Look at the number of flower buds still to open on this gorgeous opuntia.

Xeriscaped corner showing lots of color in the spring

Several kinds of prickly pear in bloom, as well as potted cacti that need protection in the winter.  At the back of this display are the double fringed salmon colored Oriental poppies.

Prickly Pear cactus - Utah sunset blossom

The beautiful blossom of this cold hardy cactus opens up to show a range of pinks and yellow and then twists close leaving only the pink showing.

Prickly Pear - delicate peach blossom

this opuntia (Prickly Pear) is cold hardy down to below 0 degrees F

Grand Canyon: prickly pear cactus on the Tonto plateau

This is what it looks like to be down in the canyon when it is snowing up on the rim.

Cholla

My cold-hardy cholla bloomed for the first time this year, as you can see.  Notice that each spine has a little curve on the end.  That hooks the unwary intruder and requires pliers to pull out.  Wonder how we know this?  Ask Cayden.

Cold hardy cactus...this is the first year it has bloomed.  The blooms stayed open for quite a few days, as opposed to the opuntia blooms which only open for one day.

pink cactus blooms

This large opuntia is covered with 50 - 70 buds in the spring.  The flowers only open for one day, but there are so many buds that it has blooms for several weeks.

Battle of the Monsters

The Praying Mantis is throwing cactus spears at the lizard.  He is sure to win.

tiny barrel cactus in bloom

Xeriscaping... it can be colorful!

Cactus in my garden

Cactus in my garden

Cactus Bloom in my garden

Echinocereus triglochidiatus 'White Sands Strain' 'White Sands' Claret Cup

Cactus Blooms

This is Todd's cactus from Las Vegas, which was accidentally left at our house.  Lucky us!

Small Cold Hardy Cactus

Escobaria missouriensis