Mother’s Day came with a monetary ‘allowance’ to spend on plants. Needless to say, I was like a kid in a sweetie shop when the OH drove for over an hour on Wednesday to visit my favourite garden centre, Qta Ataboeira. If you want succulents and cacti, for me, they are the ‘go-to’ place. They also sell a great selection of pots. I came home with two.
1. Pachypodium Saundersii
I like quirky, and this plant is most certainly quirky! As it was the only one for sale, I adopted it. It is bald due to the dormant season but I was told in blooms later in the year. Requires full sun. Read more about Pachypodium Saundersii also known as Kudu Lily or Lundi Star. ETA I’ve now named it Fred Flinstone as it looks like something from the stone age.

2. Euphorbia milii also known as Crown of Thorns
Having admired these at a friend’s garden it was most definitely on my ‘wish list’

3. Euphorbia Siraya is also known as Crown of Thorns
I was familiar with the red-flowered variety which had small blooms, but this was different!
More information for

4. Lepismium Cruciformis or Christmas Cactus
I bought this trailing succulent to plant in a display I am creating from stacked terracotta pots. Unfortunately, further research revealed it is a Rhipsalis and requires morning sun and full shade in the afternoon. so that’s a none started. On the plus side, I do have an alternative location which fulfils its needs.
More information on World of Succulents

5. Cactus (name unknown)
I purchased this cactus for the cacti and succulent rockery which is currently work in progress. Although it was not quite what I wanted, it was only €2.50.

6. Dipladenia
Last year I bought three Diplandeina and much to my surprise two out of the three survived the winter. The plant that died was down to me – I left it in deep shade all winter.

Last year I had two white and one red.

The much prayed for rain has finally arrived along with strong winds, thunder, lightning, hail and power cuts. We have managed to harvest a fair amount and the bottles form orderly rows ready for use. The rain is set to continue for another week.
That’s my six for this Saturday. Why not pop over to Mr P’s blog to catch up with more Six on Saturday gardeners.
I am looking forward to buying my own cactus…hopefully sometime in the near future! 🌵
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Really interesting Six. I grow the first Euphorbia as a house plant, can’t imagine it surviving outside. The first plant is curiously interesting.
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Yes, the first one looks almost prehistoric! I can’t wait to see how he grows. Mybe I will call him Fred Flintstone!
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Those certainly are some odd ones. The first looks like what grows in the front yard of the Flintstone Residence in Bedrock (not to be confused with the Flintstone House in Woodside). There are several of those Christmas cactus here, and we are trying to figure out what to do with them. I do not want more hanging pots, but they really do not want to be in the ground. We can put them in pots, but if they are set at ground level, then their flowers flop on the ground. We are considering planting some in rotting tree stumps. They epiphytic anyway, so might be happy with that as long as they get watered. When I prune them, I should just dispose of the scraps instead of plugging them back into another pot. They just keep making babies!
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You did mention rain but the pictures look so sunny! Love the contrast between what does well for you and what’s happening in the UK. What a great mother’s day you had.
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It is sunny now but it has been raining all morning. Typical April showers. I love reading about gardens in the UK it reminds me of all the challenges I had there but they were different.
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Your Gin corner looks great. Good luck with your new plants, love the flowery ones.
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And we are already stocking up for the summer 🙂
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That first plant is…interesting!
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It’s so ugly it is beautiful!
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I love the elephant plant. It will be interesting to see it when it’s in flower. Your Gin Corner looks colourful and relaxing! Glad to read that you had some rain.
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Elephant plant? Yes, I am hoping to replicate the gin corner this year. 🙂
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Because the name begins with ‘pachy’ I immediately thought of elephants!
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Now I am even more intrigued LoL
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I
Great way to spend your Mother’s Day booty. 😃
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Yep, it sure was. And poor OH managed to stay patient while I changed my mind at least a dozen times!
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😇
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The John Doe cactus looks like a bargain.
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*laughing* I love the name John Doe. He now has a name! That’s why I love that garden – prices are so reasonable.
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Great choice. I saw a euphorbia milii in Malaga last year. A beautiful specimen to which, I’m sure yours will look like in a few months / years (choose the correct answer : here, I’d have chosen years)
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Yes, it will be years. I am wary of investing too much on mature plants as our living so close to the sea means our climate can be rather temperamental. Young plants seem to stand a better chance. My Madagascan cactus palm (in the same family) is doing well so fingers crossed for these little guys.
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Gin Corner!
Love it!!!
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Every garden needs a gin corner, chip 🙂
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Great post! Thanks for tip on garden centre! 👍👍
Sent from my iPad
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I also had a query which I sent via FB messenger and they replied almost immediately. If you do go there they have a loyalty scheme where you receive a discount on your purchases.
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