Hardy Cactus OpuntiaIf you live with snow a few months a year and yearn to have a desert garden but think it is not possible, think again: It is possible. There are many cacti that are cold hardy down to -30 degrees, but I will discuss mainly Opuntia cactus planting, designs, and companion plants that will give the appearance of a desert garden. There are numerous hardy Opuntia cacti that are hardy to -30 degrees and will survive under a foot of snow. When spring arrives for us northern gardeners, the opuntias usually are lying flat and may look dead, but they will plump up and reward you with 4" - 6" peony-form flowers in colors of yellow, pink, peach, and red in June-July.
Styrofoam PotWe are all going green. Flower pots are expensive. You can make a simple pot from scraps of styrofoam, outdoor caulking, and small rocks from the Dollar Store. On this pot I used rocks, tile from a discount warehouse, and chess set pieces from Goodwill.
