The Little Cactus that Could!!

Photo by Lisa E White

Desert Landscaping makes sense in Scottsdale, not only because of the xeriscape low-water use, but because of the the myriad choices of succulents, cacti and native plants.  This is a story of a little volunteer prickly pear cactus that decided to begin life in our front yard next to our saguaro.  As ugly as the ugly duckling, it grew.  This cactus didn't really fit into our plan, but we gave it a chance.  After a couple years, it fell over in one of the heavy rains.  We propped it up with a guy-wire style brace until the roots again took hold.  As it continued to grow, one "arm" made it heavy on one side, so fearing another fall, my husband trimmed it.  Life is good for our little cactus, as this year for the first time, it produced these beautiful flowers and fruits.  Something inside it is saying, "I think I can, I think I can . . ."