NOTEWORTHY PERENNIALS 63 



Cactus, Hardy — Opuntia, Echinocactus 



The Cacti, as everyone knows, are plants with thick, fleshy stems 

 covered with spines, for usually there are no leaves. The Opuntias, 

 which are perhaps the most common ones grown in the northern states, 

 have large and flat branches. They have many colored spines and 

 exquisite flowers. The spines are black, brown, purple, yellow or straw 

 colored and white, while the flowers are pale pink and yellow. The 

 Comanche Cactus (0. Camanchica) has large yellow flowers and pur- 

 ple fruit. The Hedgehog Cactus {Echinocactus Simpsonii) is very small 

 and grows into a globe with pale pink flowers. Other hardy Optunias 

 are 0. vulgaris, 0. phspacantha, 0. polyacantha, 0. arenaria and 0. 

 Rafinesquii. 



Uses. The hardy Cacti are used mostly in the rock gardens, 

 although many of them are used in the borders and in dry, rocky 

 places. 



Culture. Cacti require a light, open and porous soil, containing 

 lots of leafmold, loam and sand. There should also be enough lime 

 present to keep the soil from souring. They need water in the Summer 

 but not during the Winter. Plant them in full sun. 



Propagation. They are propagated by seeds and cuttings taken 

 from the old wood rather than the soft stems. 



Callirhoe — Poppy Mallow 



The Poppy iVIaUow has long, traihng stems with many saucer- 

 shaped or Poppy-shaped flowers. These flowers are borne in the axils 

 of the leaves and vary in color from rosy crimson to cherry red and rose, 

 with white centers. Callirhoe irivolucrata is the most useful species and 

 blooms all during the Summer and early FaU. The leaves are deeply 

 cut and hairy. Height 6 inches to 8 inches. 



Uses. The Poppy Mallow is good for small borders, or for the 

 rock garden. 



Culture. It is of easiest culture, growing rapidly during the 

 Summer months. It thrives in sunny, dry positions, where the roots 

 penetrate to a great depth. 



Propagation. These plants exhaust themselves easily and should 

 be renewed often. They are propagated by seeds and cuttings. 



