Walnut Creek’s Ruth Bancroft is a national authority on drought-resistant gardening. Twice a month, she and her staff share their knowledge with readers. Q We have a large, old (probably about 40 ...

I didn't want to be a plant snob. So I told myself I at least appreciated some merits of the homely cactus. The prickly pear, after all, is a role model for water conservation. The flowers are pretty ...

The desert prickly-pear, known to botanists as Opuntia phaeacantha, is the Southwest's most widespread and abundant species of cactus. Unlike the giant saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) that is restricted ...

I love cactus. Any shape or form does it for me. Their coloration can be surprisingly varied and you can find them in shades of green, burgundy, and even combinations of green and cream (variegated).

Call 824-4423 or email [email protected]. Mention cactus and the first thing people think of is Arizona or the desert. I think of the beautiful smooth, bright yellow flowers of the Prickly Pear ...

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is native to the Eastern United States in prairies, pine flatwoods and scrub habitats. Someone examining prickly pear may not recognize any leaves, but the ...

Q: I have a prickly pear cactus that started out in a pot, but the pot broke one winter, and the plant has been growing in the ground since. I really haven't done anything to it, and now it's getting ...

When the first heat arrives, prickly pear cactus burst into the exuberant flowering of all. Everyone knows this group of cactus that is without question the largest and most easily recognized due to ...

I've recently discovered that cacti bloom in sunset colors, and now I am obsessed. The prickly pears are no exception. You've probably noticed bursts of yellow, coral and maybe even red peeping out ...