Desert Beauties

This winter took out several of our trial barrel cactus, but despite the losses, we’ve still got a good selection of survivors. Peak flowering season is late April through late May, so below are a few that we’ve manage to photograph during that period. The key for growing barrel cactus in cold wet climates is excellent winter drainage and bright sun. There are many genera to choose from, as you’ll see below.

Coryphantha scheeri is a Chihuahuan desert species that ranges from Texas south into Northern Mexico.

Coryphantha scheeri

Coryphantha macromeris ssp. runyonii is a sea level species that’s only found on both sides of the Rio Grande River, which divides the United States and Mexico.

Coryphantha macromeris ssp. runyonii

Echinocereus coccineus is native to much of the Southwestern US. This seed grown collection hails from Hudspeth County, TX.

Echinocereus coccineus

Echinocereus x roetteri is one of our favorites. This naturally occurring hybrid between Echinocereus coccineus and Echinocereus dasyacanthus has flower colors that range through the entire rainbow spectrum. This is a stunning purple flowered form, we grew from seed from Pecos. County, TX.

Echinocereus x roetteri purple flowered form

Echinocereus palmeri is another Chihuan Desert species from Northern Mexico.

Echinocereus palmeri

Echinocereus papillosus var. angusticeps stradles the Texas/Mexico line. Our plants sailed through our 11F winter.

Echinocereus papillosus var. angusticeps

This beautiful clump of Echinocereus reichenbachii var. baileyi was grown from seed from a population in Granite, Oklahoma.

Echinocereus reichenbachii var. baileyi

Gymnocalycium deeszianum hails from south of the Equator in the Cordoba Province of Argentina. Unlike most of the previous cactus, which tolerate or prefer alkaline soils, gymnocalycium prefer acidic soils.

Gymnocalycium deeszianum

Notocactus floricomis is another superb performer from Argentina

Notocactus floricomis

Notocactus x hertonis is from a Mike Papay cross of the pink flowering Notocactus herteri and the yellow-flowering Notocactus ottonis.

Notocactus x hertonis

Finally, Notocactus x subteri is another superb Mike Papay hybrid of the pink-flowering Notocactus herteri and the yellow-flowered Notocactus submamulosus.

Notocactus x subteri

Check out our pricks

Spring is unquestionable peak cactus flowering season at JLBG. Although many of you are familiar with our large opuntia (prickly pear) collection, we thought we’d focus on the more diminutive barrel cactus, which you will see if you visit during our spring open house. Keep in mind that most close at night, not reopening until 10am-noon the following day. The photos below are just a tiny sample of the cacti that will be in flower.

Echinocereus adjustus
Echinocereus reichenbachii var. major Teddy Bear
Echinocereus viridiflorus
Escobaria albicolumnaria
Escobaria dasycanthus
Escobaria orcuttii
Rebutia miniscula ‘Senilis’

Hardy Cactus in bloom at Juniper Level Botanic Garden

 

For those who didn’t get to our Open Nursery and Garden last week, here are some of the hardy cactus you missed in the new Souto Garden section.  We’re passionate about hardy cactus, and have been so since we were hooked by a jumping cholla about 45 years ago.  I hope you enjoy the photos of this amazing group of plants.Echinocereus nivosus in flower2

Echinocereus nivosus

Echinocereus reichenbachii var. caespitosus

Echinocereus reichenbachii var. caespitosusEchinocereus triglochiditus v. mojavensis in flower

Echinocereus triglochiditis v. mojavensisGymnocalycium Bridal Showers2

Gymnocalycium ‘Bridal Showers’ – a Mike Papay hybrid

Gymnocalycium doppianum in flower (2)

Gymnocalycium doppianumGymnocalycium Paradise Pink8

Gymnocalycium ‘Panama Pink’ – a Mike Papay hybrid

Notocactus paucidentatus2

Notocactus paucidentatus

Notocactus submamulosus in flower

Notocactus submamulosusOpuntia basilaris v. aurea Golden Carpet

Opuntia basilaris v. aurea ‘Golden Carpet’Opuntia Claude Arno2

Opuntia ‘Claude Arno’Opuntia polycantha Crystal Tide

Opuntia polycantha ‘Crystal Tide’Opuntia polycantha v. hystracina SW Colorado

Opuntia polycantha var. hystracina

Opuntia sp. Little Monk in flower (3)

Opuntia ‘Little Monk’Opuntia sp. nov pink flowers

Opuntia sp. nov. pink flowersTrichocereus Big Time (T. bruchii MP hybrid

Trichocereus ‘Big Time’ (a Mike Papay hybrid of T. bruchii)Trichocereus Irridescent Watermelon3 (2)

Trichocereus ‘Irridescent Watermelon’ – a Mike Papay hybridTrichocereus sp. D26-55 in flower2Trichocereus bruchii