Pencil Cholla : The Power of Plants

Plant of the Month – July

Pencil Cholla Cylindropuntia ramosissima Plant Form: Cactus, succulent Water Use: Extremely low, very low Mature Size: 5-6 ft. tall and wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring (March-May) Native to: California, Baja California, northwestern Mexico Hardiness: Cold hardy to 10°F Pencil Cholla can be either erect and treelike, or trailing on the ground with rising branch tips. It also expresses its individuality in the number of spines it produces, with some plants having no spines, others sporting sparse spines, while […]

Filed under Plant of the Month · Tagged with butterfly gardens, California native plants, California water-wise gardening, cold hardy plants, Cylindropuntia ramosissima, Diamond Cholla, drought-tolerant landscaping, Drought-tolerant plants, gardening with desert plants, Heat-loving plants, Heat-tolerant plants, low water use plants, Pencil Cholla, Rabbit resistant, rock gardens, Southern California native plants, southwest desert landscaping, southwest native plants, Very low water use, Water-wise landscaping

I am amazed every day at how much happens on our half-acre of High Desert property. Whether we are simply looking out the window at our bird feeders, working in our yard, or sitting on our deck watching the sunset, my husband and I get the biggest kick out of seeing the dynamics unfolding between our resident covey of a hundred quail, dozens of songbirds, rabbits, antelope ground squirrels, lizards, friendly snakes, occasional coyotes, bobcat, fox, and even hungry hawks.

It’s hard to believe how much activity can be packed into such a small yard when it has various levels of “living spaces,” simulating a multi-story hotel, creating homes galore in ground covers, branches, and canopies of plants. Added to the backdrop of a seasonal procession of color from flowering plants, fruiting shrubs and trees, the happenings in our yard provide continual cause for delight, surprise, inspiration, and celebration.

I hope you enjoy following the fascinating cycle of life that plays out in a yard dedicated to wildlife, water-wise native plants, and other delights of a hopeless plant lover.

Robin Kobaly's Soil Demo

You're Invited!

Join us on a captivating adventure into the world of plants and their impressive uses. Experience the plants growing in your area’s natural community as you never have before…through taste, smell, touch, herbal remedies, landscape, stories and even art.

Find food, medicine, home décor and garden landscaping in the plants native to the southwestern United States, and learn how to prepare them yourself during our hands-on workshops.

Have Fun Learning about Native Plants!

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About the Power of Plants
Water-Wise Landscaping: The DVD

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