The chaste tree, which I’ve also heard called the vitex tree (Vitex agnus castus), wins the top prize for the easiest-to-grow plant in my xeriscape. It produces long panicles (branching clusters of flowers) that are covered with beautiful blue flowers in the spring and fall. Read about the pros and cons of the chaste tree […]
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Fishhook barrel cactus has edible fruit Recently, my fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus latispinus) produced flowers, and from there, went on to bear fruit. And, besides having the beautiful fishhook spines and the pretty flowers to look at, this fishhook barrel cactus has edible fruit! And it tastes good, too! What is the fishhook barrel cactus?
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I love cactus flowers. Out of all the plants in the world, they produce some of the most uniquely beautiful flowers. Recently, I dissected a large cactus flower to see what was inside. As a result, I think I became an amateur-expert in cactus flower anatomy. The information I discovered about cactus flower anatomy and
Cactus flower anatomy Read More »
When I first moved to the southwestern United States, I remember how the first ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) I planted looked dead soon after it was in the ground! I was so disappointed! Months later, my ocotillo looked like a clump of brown, spiny sticks sticks with no leaves and no flowers. Despite those obvious missing
Is your ocotillo dead or alive? Read More »
