Wildlife value of Prickly Pear — an unexpected bonus

I planted Prickly Pear primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. extremely long-lived with minimal intervention seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a grouped desert landscape display which allows me to watch the activity up close. flowering in late spring to early summer is the most active period for wildlife visits. protecting from frost below -5°C even for hardy varieties is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. slow growth frustration for impatient growers is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.