Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp.) .
I don't have this cactus in my garden any longer. However, it is blooming beautifully in my neighbor's garden. 
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The blooms are gorgeous but the spines are wicked. There is no glove I know of that will keep your hand's safe from the miniature barbs. The spines don't come out of the skin easily. Sage advice says to use tongs or newspaper folded several sheets thick when handling this plant.
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I takes someone much braver than I to weed a patch of prickly pear.
(A different color Prickly Pear in Bartram's Gardens in Philadelphia.)
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Check in with brave Carol at May Dreams Gardens for a peek iinto more June gardens. Carol hosts Bloom Day on the 15th of every month. Thank you Carol.
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University of Arizona Cooperative Extension “Prickly Pear: Handle with Care”
10 comments:
That Prickly Pear is dangerous indeed. I love your sedum in the older post, I have it everywhere and have to give it a haircut mid season too.
I am in full agreement on the cactus and decided against keeping it in the gardens many years ago... it certainly is beautiful though... Larry
Darla,
The Prickly Pear is dangerous. One of my neighbor's friends fell into her cactus patch. It was not a pretty sight. I'm glad to hear that you like sedum I hope to give it a haircut this week.
Larry,
Me too. After a couple of years, I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It is an evil beauty :-).
I know about the prickly pear. I lived in Texas. Ranchers would burn off the needles with propane torches, and the cattle loved to eat them. Napolitos!!
I have this one and treat it like bees - If you leave it alone, it won't bother you.
greggo,
I'm glad to know prickly pear is good for something. I've also heard stories of it's uses in folk medicine.
I tried to leave a comment about your beautiful garden on your blog but was unsuccessful. Love the hell strip!
Good advice, Swimray.
I liked your neighbors cactus but even more I loved your creeping sedum. I got to try that with some of my stepping stones. Thanks for inviting me into your garden.
Thanks for the nice comment, Paul. The creeping sedum is one of the workhorses in my garden.
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