Wildlife value of Barrel Cactus — an unexpected bonus

I planted Barrel Cactus primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. spectacular but brief blooms that can appear overnight seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a dry garden rockery or gravel bed which allows me to watch the activity up close. rapid growth during the warm summer months is the most active period for wildlife visits. watering sparingly and only in the active growing season is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. root rot from any waterlogging in winter is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.