Dear
Craig:
This
is my first spring and summer in Phoenix, and I can’t
get over the beautiful flowers that are on the cacti when
they bloom. I had no idea that saguaros had flowers in
spring. Will everything keep blooming until fall or does
the summer weather put an end to it? Which cacti will
add the most color to my landscape when they bloom?
Lisa
in Phoenix
Dear
Lisa:
Most
of our cacti are only putting on their spring display.
Once the flowers are gone, they won’t
reappear
until next year, with the exception of the Argentine giants.
It is truly amazing that cacti bloom with such glory and
beauty. Even the ugliest cacti can have magnificent flowers.
One of my favorites is the Argentine giant. Its large
white flowers stretch approximately eight inches across
and can cover the entire plant during its peak bloom period
in spring. The hybrid
varieties
have brilliant or pastel flowers ranging from yellow to
orange, and bright red to pink. The Argentine giants will
continue to bloom periodically throughout the summer.
Two
other cactus species, the Cereus monstrosa and the peruviana,
bloom with large white flowers that only open during the
night and are pollinated by moths and bats. Hedgehog and
claret cup blossoms stay open day and night, and last
up to five days. Flower colors range from red and purple
to yellow.
Saguaro
flowers are so impressive that they are the state flower
of Arizona. These flowers generally open during the cooler
mornings. After the blossoms are gone, the saguaro is
left with sweet, edible fruit. Papago Indians harvested
the fruit as a summer staple. They preserved it in syrup
form for later use and also made wine from it that was
used in traditional rituals. The pulp is said to taste
a bit like figs with a tinge of strawberry.
Prickly
pear cacti have an assortment of colored flowers; yellow,
red or purple with colors that can vary even in the same
species. The fruits left on prickly pears are also edible
and can be made into candies, jellies, and syrup, which
are found in many souvenir shops. If you want to taste
the prickly pear or saguaro fruit, you’ll have to try
to get to it before the birds do.
It’s
hard to recommend a specific cactus to add to your landscape
for color. I find all of the cactus flowers appealing
with a wide variety of colors from which to choose. I
would definitely plant Argentine giants and the hybrid
varieties. These cacti will definitely give you a showy
display. I would also consider the purple prickly pear
for its flowers and the bright purple, blue, and red color
of its pads. This is one cactus that looks more colorful
as it stresses from the cold winter and extreme heat of
summer. I would consider the cereus varieties for their
blue green vertical branches, white flowers and purple
fruit. Of course you have to view these in the evening
and early morning for the best display of its flowers.
Claret cups, especially the red varieties, will add bright
spots near boulders. I would also plant golden barrel,
not so much for their yellow flowers, but mainly for the
bright‑gold color. These cacti will keep color in
the landscape even when other cacti are not blooming.
A couple others to consider are the golden torch with
its bright red blossoms, and the Easter cacti with their
large lavender blooms.
Selecting
cactus varieties for your landscape is a matter of personal
choice. Consider not only the flower colors, but also
the leaf and foliage textures and colors. Keep in mind
the color scheme of your existing landscape when making
your choices.
Craig
Allison is a registered landscape architect with more
than 30 years of landscaping and nursery experience. He
previously held positions as a Faculty Associate at Arizona
State University’s School of Landscape Architecture and
taught design at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.
Listen to Craig and call in Sunday mornings from 8 to
9 a.m. on KFNX 1100 AM talk radio.
