PUSHING THE BORDERS

I love using this cactus in garden designs, as it grows well here and can get quite large over time. These examples are the second planting attempt after gophers devoured the roots of the first ones planted 9 years ago which had gotten about 6’ tall. These newer specimens are only 2 years in the ground, but have tripled in size since initial planting. This time they are protected with galvanized wire gopher baskets which keep the gophers at bay. They had also devoured some prized Yucca rostrata and an Aloe tomentosa(they more typically leave most aloes alone).

I recently purchased some nice multi-trunked specimens in 3 gallon pots, somewhat pricey at $US50 each. Now I have to decide where they will get planted, whose new or existing garden. Not all my clients are fans of cacti, so that narrows down the choices.

There’s a choice geophyte planted at the base of one of them, can you see it? It has reached blooming size and flowered two years in a row now.

David F wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 7:27 pm There’s a choice geophyte planted at the base of one of them, can you see it? It has reached blooming size and flowered two years in a row now.

Is that a Brunsvigia undulata?

I don't think I've ever seen one in the flesh.

Chad

It’s a Boophone disticha, two side by side with one staying evergreen and the other going winter deciduous.

I grow the Cleistocactus here at the base of my south-facing house wall. Not as fast as in California, obvs, but happy enough.

Paul, does it bloom as heavily there?

Not at all, yet!

Cleistocactus straussii is blooming now here in Northern California. My recently purchased 18” tall specimens show no signs of blooms however. Plants 3’ tall in the garden are blooming heavily. I suspect temperature is a blooming cue, we’re just starting to get temps around 70°F again.