Organ Pipe Cactus in Bloom

Another short post today, again to show off a lovely plant.  In this case, a cactus flower that bloomed out of season in a private garden in Fontana, California.  Organ pipe cacti, of course, do not naturally occur in California (just across the river in Arizona), but it was such a lovely flower that it deserved a picture, no?

Cacti are a fine addition to any garden that can support them.  They produce amazing flowers, require little in the way of care, and can be good for stopping prowlers dead in their tracks.  There is even a cold weather species that grows in the northern plains and ranges as far northeast as Long Island, the Eastern prickly pear.