Flowering Cacti and More in the Garden of Steve Aegerter
Denver, CO – Continuing the Denver Open Days Tour, garden enthusiast Linda Taylor, of Garden Whispers, recently visited the garden of Steve Aegerter, owner of Garden Guy Designs, and was immediately impressed by a vibrant display of flowering prickly pear cactus.
A Rainbow of Prickly Pear and Desert Beauty
Aegerter’s garden features a stunning array of prickly pear cactus varieties, with orange being a particular highlight, attracting numerous pollinators. Other notable blooms include yellow tinged with rose, carnation pink, and a striking magenta. The garden also showcases a majestic ‘Snow Leopard’ cholla, complemented by a fuzzy mulmullein, creating a beautiful dry-garden combination with globe thistle and a small grass.
Creeping sedum and red yucca add to the diverse landscape, evoking memories of Taylor’s time in Texas. Unique varieties, including one with exceptionally thick, furry-looking spines, are also present.
Creative Design and Plant Choices
Taylor noted the presence of flowering yucca (likely Y. pallida), which, alongside the red yucca, should deter deer, a common problem in her previous garden. Denver gardeners often incorporate hypertufa troughs filled with winter-hardy cacti and succulents, a trend Taylor is embracing. An allium’s globe-like flower is paired with a tiny pine tree, while larkspur adds a touch of purple-blue along the fence line. A collection of watering cans provides additional color.
Raised beds provide space for vegetables and flowers, and a shade-loving crevice garden thrives beneath a large tree. The garden cleverly utilizes the reflected heat from a neighbor’s driveway to benefit smaller plants.
Further Exploration and Book Recommendation
Taylor’s next feature will showcase the personal garden of Mike Kintgen, a horticulturist at the Denver Botanic Garden. For those interested, a previous post details Marilyn Raff’s garden of fragrant roses and wildflowers. She also recommends “Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State,” praising its inspiring photography and practical advice, available on Amazon and in stores.