The Beast Turns into the Beauty
A while back I was enjoying one of the first spring flowers and that being tulips. Tulips appear as if of wax with the delicate shapes, but just as the shapes are delicate, so is their lasting power when they come up against the wild spring winds. At that time the cactus was getting the short end of the stick in the compliment department. In time the tulip’s greenery near the cactus dies back until the next year.
In time the beast becomes a beauty.
Beating all odds the Prickly Pear Cactus that looks as if it is dead when the snow melts does rebound and flourish. It is the only cactus that can survive the freezing winters of Minnesota. I have had several stems that have broken off of the parent plant due to the weight of it hanging at odd angles. After having stuck them in some soil near by they root themselves and take off as if they have been there from the start. The joy of the Prickly Pear is when they become the beauty of their domain. The yellow blooms are intricate and I am here to tell you my photo is not giving them due diligence. Just as other blooms, the staying power is never long enough for my liking. There have been as many as eight buds showing, but unfortunately they don’t open in unison. Having them open here and there does prolong the enjoyment of the color.
This would be a great plant to protect against home invasion under house windows. You may not realize that your hand has brushed too closely, but immediately a tweezers is sought for relief. I can not imagine coming in contact with an entire stem. As the photo reveals, a few little weeds are allowed to live another day until some heavy canvas gloves are donned. It all makes for the wonders of gardening and the enjoyment of having dirty fingernails and weary backs. I love it.