It's happening. The claret cup, then the big hedgehog with the waxy orange flowers that last several days each. Then the beaver tails. Then cholla. Then pin cushion.
In complexity, in delight, the cactus flower is near the top of many lists for best local flowers, some would say of all flowers. Cactus flowers are often compared to orchids and other flowers of high distinction. It is true. Cactus flowers are superior flowers.
There are about a dozen or so hardy cacti species for our area. If you love to grow cactus -- people either seem to love it or hate it -- these dozen or so will bloom for you, one to the next, over the course of a month to six weeks, mid to late May through June. Cactus blooms for a month...a privilege not a whole lot of people have the luck to enjoy.
UpdateThe picture of the pin cushion cactus bloom above was taken on 06/17/2009. So it's a reference from the future. But today, in this wet June, on the 17th day, the pin cushion blooms a magical bloom with a sweet melting fragrance. Tucked behind the flower are two other blooms emerging. Three magical blooms.