PRICKLY PEAR FOR PRACTICAL PEOPLE

I've had a change of heart regarding Prickly Pear since visiting a tiny town in central Texas.

Recently my wife and I visited the quaint historical district of Gruene (pronounced Green) just outside of New Braunfels, Texas.

I was fascinated by the landscape combinations...especially since they used thornless Opuntias.
Thornless varieties have a nice, smooth look for our tamer eastern gardens.
Of course, you can plant the spiny ones as well; just don't trip and fall on one! LOL

Hope you enjoy the tour!

Opuntias (Prickly Pear) look great in large pottery displays. Their large pads contrast well with many types of foliage.

This opuntia looks great in the round, urn shaped pot. 

This was my favorite combination of plants. I would never guess that copper plant would pair well with Opuntia, but it does. The smaller plants are vinca and a lavender flower that I don't remember. Anyone recognize it?

Gruene Hall had Opuntia growing with silvery Artemesias and copper plant.

For a Texas Cottage style garden, the Opuntias add a nice quiet backdrop for all the busy blooms.

This is an excellent blend of Opuntia, rosemary, salvia, and artemesias.

Another view of the Gruene Hall cottage garden. Most of these plants were in large whiskey barrels.

Opuntias look great against a solid wall. Most of the types growing in Gruene were various thornless varieties.

Here's an Opuntia paired with yellow lantana and purple setcreasea.

Here's some growing within a lawn. 

Notice the deep purple tunas on this Opuntia. They are almost the same color as the vincas.

Of course you can grow them alone. Either way, Opuntias are a fun addition to a garden.

If you are interested in some thornless species and varieties, try these:

Opuntia 'Old Mexico'

Opuntia ficus-india

Opuntia ellisiana

Nopalea cochenillifera

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Opuntia can be grown in well-draining sands, gravels, and other mixtures. They can also grow on top of tree stumps, roofs, and on top of fence posts. I've even seen them growing on stone walls with hardly any soil.

Here's a rooted pad that I brought back to the garden. I'll bet it will have three or four pads by next December.

That's it for today.

Thanks for stopping by!

David/:0)