Cactus Opuntia

Desert Succulent

Abstract
Cactus Opuntia Flowers

Cacti are a succulent usually confined to the desert but the Opuntia is being used in Xeriscape Gardening.

Cactus Opuntia

Cactus Opuntia Flower Buds

This low growing Opuntia has flattened stems called paddles that contain
barbed bristles. In May the mature cactus produces yellow, waxy flowers. When the flowers die away a red juicy edible fruit, called a tuna, is produced. I have made jelly from the fruit.

Cactus Opuntia Flowers

Shared Gardens

 A Garden Version of Stone Soup

Inviting Garden, Chicago
For Illustrative Purposes

Recession Gardening is what some of us are doing. I live in a cul-de-sac and we had to remove two junipers (OUCH!) due to height and safety concerns for wee bikers.  In a community effort we gathered Iris, tradescandia, dahlberg daisy, cora vinca, nandinas, and bought a couple of Knock Out Roses and in our version of "Stone Soup" we have a new, colorful, and safe cul-de-sac. There are four mature crape myrtles for summer enjoyment. 

The photograph above is from a recent trip to Chicago. Every morning I would go for a walk and every time I passed this spot I would privately award this home a blue ribbon for design, and all around "welcome to this home" charm. Loved the touches of spring green growing between the stepping stones and a bench punctuating the end.

Rosa 'Rad Razz"

Rosa 'Rad Razz"

Dahlberg Daisy (Thymophylla tenuiloba)  and Tickseed (Coreopsis) . Both have lacey foliage bright yellow flowers, survive the heat and produce prolifically. There are several native low growing bright eyed yellow flowered plants. The USDA site has listings and maps to help sort out the specific species and to help avoid confusion when it comes to Thymophylla, dyssodia, prickly leaf, and dogweed.
The Dahlberg Daisy below throws seeds everywhere. They seem to like falling into grooves between the concrete of sidewalks and driveways and laughing with it's precious tiny yellow blossoms. "I am a hardy delight for your spring enjoyment. You really don't want to pull me as you would a lowly weed!"

Dahlberg Daisy, Golden Fleece (Thymophylla tenuiloba, see also Dyssodia tenuiloba)

Daylilies

Mother May I?

Daylilies Take Giant Step with New Improved Soil Amendments.

I took measures to add lava sand and expanded shale when I divided plants in the daylily bed with quite pleasing results. Mother's Day is May13 and the daylilies should be in full bloom by then. Possibly the reason why they are a common Mother's Day gift?

Volunteer Daylily

The daylily is a showy perennial herb of the genus Hemerocallis which translates to "beauty for a day." The name refers to the individual flowers which lasts just 1 day. Daylilies provide a lively succession of short-lived flowers in a wide range of colors, and this early summer species has scented, 6 petaled, star-shaped blooms. It can be grown to brighten up a dull part of a sunny border, or as part of a mix with other daylilies which come in colors including red, maroon, orange, white.....




                                                            ........ and yellow

My daylily bed is a yellow monochromatic splash of sunshine. Favorite Yellow Spider Daylilies add height. Most of my daylilies were purchased from our local “Daylily Lady.”
It is always a great pleasure to find an AHS approved Display Garden in your area. Many of these are public but many are private and require an appointment.

Daylily 'Rococo'

May Garden Highlights in North Texas

Eastern Purple Coneflower

Eastern Purple Coneflower

Bee Balm, Peter's Purple 
Monarda 'Peter's Purple' Bee Balm

Bee Balm, Peter's Purple 
Monarda 'Peter's Purple' Bee Balm

Rose 'Drop Dead Red'
Bred by Tom Carruth, California

Drop Dead Red is a dark red floribunda rose. It is heat tolerant and drought resistant.

Rose 'Mister Lincoln'
Dark red hybrid tea rose
Breeders Herb Swim and O. L. Weeks, California

Opuntia Cactus with yellow flower

April Garden Highlights in North Texas

CORN POPPY (Papaver Rhoeas)

Poppy seeds carefully sown during the winter reward this gardener with pink and red taffeta like petals. The directions stated, "place the seeds directly onto the soil," as they require exposure to the sun for germination.

CORN POPPY (Papaver Rhoeas)

Colors include red, pink and a shade of salmon.

Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum’)

Planting florescent colored ground covers at the base of roses, salvias, and loftier plants can highlight and showcase your favorite perennials. The Green-yellow shades of spring green, chartreuse, harlequin, and spring or bright green found in golden oregano (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum’), 'Marguerite' sweet potato vine (Ipomea batatas 'Marguerite'), and gold moss sedum (Sedum acre) are alternatives to mulch. The golden oregano planted in 2011 survived the drought and remained vibrant throughout the winter months.

 

Gold moss sedum (Sedum acre 'Aureum')

Sedum acre 'Aureum'

The creeping sedum are excellent groundcover plants, especially in hot and dry sites. The gold moss sedum forms a low carpet of tiny succulent leaves, the peak of each stem turns yellow in the spring. In the summer tiny golden star flowers appear. This is a goodchoice for containers.

Beardtongue (Penstemon 'Dark Towers')

Beardtongue (Penstemon 'Dark Towers') is an unpretentious perennial with crimson foliage and adds depth and interest to a border garden. As the beardtongue begins to fade the eastern purple coneflower begins to emerge.

Eastern Purple Coneflower
(Echinacea Purpurea)
Native

Eastern Purple Coneflower
(Echinacea Purpurea)
Native