The Cactus Family includes an extraordinary variety of plants, from tiny pincushions to stately saguaros, and these are found throughout the Americas, from southern Argentina north to central Canada.

Walnut Creek’s Ruth Bancroft is a national authority on drought-resistant gardening. Twice a month, she and her staff share their knowledge with readers. Q We have a large, old (probably about 40 ...

The prickly pear cactus is probably the most identifiable plant (besides the saguaro) in the Sonoran Desert. The species most often seen in the wild here is Engelmann prickly pear, or Opuntia ...

I didn't want to be a plant snob. So I told myself I at least appreciated some merits of the homely cactus. The prickly pear, after all, is a role model for water conservation. The flowers are pretty ...

The desert prickly-pear, known to botanists as Opuntia phaeacantha, is the Southwest's most widespread and abundant species of cactus. Unlike the giant saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) that is restricted ...

All over the desert, rain will bring one of the biggest cactus flower shows in years. Existing cactus plants in gardens and landscapes as well as in the wild will be reproducing with a vengeance after ...

I've recently discovered that cacti bloom in sunset colors, and now I am obsessed. The prickly pears are no exception. You've probably noticed bursts of yellow, coral and maybe even red peeping out ...

Question: I recently bought my first home in Santa Rosa. The backyard has a prickly pear cactus that’s about 6 feet tall. Since it’s the first time I’ve owned one, can you share information about it ...