Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Blooming Bounty

Copper King ~ Mammillaria elongata


I've had this Copper King cactus for over 6 years. This is the first time it has bloomed! I guess the extra rain we had over the winter is the reason.

There is a yellow spined version of this cactus. It looks just the same and has the same flowers, but the spines are a straw color. Copper King is not as common as the yellow spined version.

Opuntia basilaris


My beaver tail cactus just bloomed this morning. It's loaded with buds soon to open. Of all the Prickly Pear cacti, I think this species has the prettiest flower color.


Zinnia elegans


The yellow/orange zinnia is in full bloom. This is the only color that has opened. It's so odd the way certain colors bloom at certain times. I wonder what will come next!



I picked up a few packs of Vinca today at Lowes. I have always planted Vinca the end of May after all of the spring flowers have fried. Vinca is the only flowering plant in my yard that will take full sun all summer. They will last until September when I'm ready to plant fall flowers.

4 comments:

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Thank you for visiting my blog. It is a small world. I take it from looking at your flowers that you are still in Arizona?
You are much more adventurous with your plantings than I. Hope to hear from you again soon....and PS...you are NOT old!

Pudgeduck said...

ceekay....I live ten miles from where I was born....

Julie said...

I wonder about these Vinca...I have never heard of them...but if they take summer heat in Arizona, maybe they would grow here in south Florida...am going to investigate right now!!!

Pudgeduck said...

Julie-With all the moisture you have in florida, they may spread like weeds!