#cactihouse

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 8 February 2023

In the cactus house of Inverness Botanic Garden, Scotland, there was a fine display of Cleistocactus strausii (silver torch). This was last featured at a glasshouse in Aberdeen (Wednesday 1 February 2023) but these looked so great I couldn’t resist including this dramatic and vigorous cactus again.

Jill Raggett

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Sunday 5 February 2023

A relatively fast growing succulent Agave attenuata (foxtail agave) produces an evergreen rosette of silvery, pale green leaves on top of a thick stem. The common name comes from the tall dense stem of greenish yellow bell shaped flowers which arch over, because of their weight.

Jill Raggett

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Saturday 4 February 2023

In the Cactus House of Inverness Botanic Gardens are some beautiful specimens of Agave victoriae-reginae (royal agave, Queen Victoria century plant). This evergreen perennial forms a rosette of spine-tipped leaves. Each of these have attractive white markings which are impressions made by leaves on one another as they develop.

Jill Raggett

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 1 February 2023

Adding a vertical element to this cacti house is Cleistocactus strausii (silver torch). This is a vigorous cactus covered in white spines on hairy, bluish-grey columns. It must be lovely when covered in tubular deep red or burgundy flowers which are scattered along the stems in summer.

Jill Raggett

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Thursday 26 January 2023

In the Cacti House of the David Welch Winter Gardens in Duthie Park, Aberdeen, there was a specimen plant of Puya chilensis (Chilean puya). This is an evergreen, clumping, perennial which will produce a flower stem up to 1.5m high, covered with yellow-green, bell-shaped flowers interspersed with bird perches for the pollinators. The plant is monocarpic and dies after setting green fruit containing winged seeds.

Jill Raggett