2006 – Landscaping With Opuntias

Various species of winter-hearty opuntias offer interesting landscape options for homeowners in the St. Louis area. Smaller forms of the familiar prickly pears will spread to fill separate beds, while large plants with hand-size pads provide a more impressive focus among other plantings. The Missouri native Opuntia humifusa is easy to grow in St. Louis cactus gardens with ample sun and good drainage, but watch out for those pesky glochids.

Images by David Wolfe