For this transplanted southwestern gardener, it was love at first sight when I first saw a toothpick cactus (Stetsonia coryne). I bought one and planted it in a sunny location. Since then, it has been growing slowly but steadily. Here are the toothpick cactus description and care guidelines. Toothpick cactus description and care TOOTHPICK CACTUS […]
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I bought my dwarf Agave potatorum ‘kichiokan marginata’, also known as the dwarf variegated butterfly agave, from one of the big-box DIY stores. This dwarf agave looked so charming in its little container. It had variegated yellow-green leaves along with its blood-red sharp spines—I could not resist buying it. But, would this plant be an
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If you love cacti, then you’ll love the Mexican fence post (Pachycereus marginatus) cactus. Its descriptive name conjures up images of the desert, fenced-in cattle fields, and the beautiful country of Mexico. But, what exactly is the Mexican fence post cactus? Here’s the Mexican fence post cactus description! Mexican fence post cactus description It’s a
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Since moving to the southwestern United States more than 20 years ago, I have grown lots of Trichocereus hybrids (also sold as torch cacti) in my landscapes. Depending on the hybrid variety, Trichocereus cacti can produce magnificent flowers that range in colors from white, to vibrant shades of yellow, florescent pink, shocking red hues, orange,
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When I lived in New Mexico, my house was surrounded by naturally growing creosote bushes. Today, I live near Phoenix, Arizona, and I still have one creosote bush which I planted at the side of my house. This unique, iconic-looking bush adds a desert ambience to any arid landscape! But, what is the creosote bush?
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The silver torch sactus (Cleistocactus straussii) is a strikingly beautiful columnar cactus. I have a lot of them growing in containers and in my xeriscape. Read more about silver torch cactus care, and ways to encourage faster growth and more flowers. Before we discuss how to care for Cleistocactus straussii, let’s describe this wonderful cactus!
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If you’d like a unique-looking and easy-to-grow cactus that stays relatively small, I’d suggest the Opuntia quitensis Johnson’s hybrid. Read more about how to grow Opuntia Johnson’s hybrid cactus! But first, here’s a description of Opuntia Johnson’s hybrid cactus. Description of the Opuntia Johnson’s hybrid cactus Smaller flowers and smaller pads Most varieties of opuntia
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This is the story of how I learned about the 3 benefits of earthworm castings, and how I used their organic waste to combat a common landscape pest. Surprisingly, I was amazed that earthworm castings also helped my agaves grow faster, larger, and look more beautiful. Earthworm castings backstory: Before we discuss the 3 benefits
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Recently, I bought a small columnar cactus. Uniquely, it has long white hairs covering the top and side of the cactus column. It looks like an old man’s long white beard. In fact, it is called the Old Man of the Andes cactus (Oreocereus trollii), and it’s a unique-looking succulent to add to your xeriscape. Here
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This fall, my Orange Jubilee (Tecoma x ‘Orange Jubilee’) is blooming like crazy. Its trumpet-shaped orange flowers create a wall of vibrant color in my xeriscape. While this plant looks good, are there any drawbacks to having this plant in your landscape? Here are the Tecoma Orange Jubilee pros and cons! Orange Jubilee pros and
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