There are many desert plants—such as cacti—that will beautify your landscape and reduce your water usage. Prickly pears, cholla, organ pipes, and barrels are a few of the many cacti species to include in your landscape. Read on to learn more about these desert plants.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly pear cactus is a great addition to your landscape for several reasons. You can harvest the fruit to make syrups, jams, or sweet additions to a fruit salad. You can also harvest the pads to make nopales fries or to eat as a grilled vegetable. In addition to the edible benefits of prickly pear cacti, your landscape will look beautiful and full every time the prickly pear blooms.

Cholla Cactus

There are over 20 different species of Cholla cacti, and they range in height and style. Each can come with different color flowers, as well, to add variety to your landscape. Cholla cactus can get a bad reputation, due to its many spines that can easily stick in skin. However, if you handle this cactus with caution, then you will have a beautiful drought-resistant addition to your desert landscape.

Organ Pipe Cactus

If you have a wide and open landscape, then consider planting an organ pipe cactus. This cactus specie can grow over 25 feet tall and spread out several feet in diameter. It resembles a large organ instrument with several long, tubular limbs.

Barrel Cactus

The barrel cactus is a popular specie to find in residential landscapes. It requires little water and space to grow, so you can beautify your yard with little effort. Barrel cacti will also produce large, beautiful flowers on their tops. They may also produce fruit, but it is not eaten often due to its dryness and bitter taste.

 

Learn more about the many desert plant and cacti species you can plant by working with Complete Landscaping. We have over a 100 years of combined experience working in Tucson’s desert. Please visit us online and call us at (520) 323-8918 to set up a consultation.