The Twelve Days of Cactus

– Posted in: Succulents

Feel free to hum along.

On the first day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

A dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the second day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the third day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the fourth day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the fifth day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the sixth day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Six obesas blooming, five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the seventh day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Seven saguaros spinning, six obesas blooming, five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the eighth day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Eight mams a-milking, seven saguaros spinning, six obesas blooming, five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the ninth day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Nine lithops dancing, eight mams a-milking, seven saguaros spinning, six obesas blooming, five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the tenth day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Ten chollas jumping, nine lithops dancing, eight mams a-milking, seven saguaros spinning, six obesas blooming, five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the eleventh day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Eleven trips to Tucson, ten chollas jumping, nine lithops dancing, eight mams a-milking, seven saguaros spinning, six obesas blooming, five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

On the twelfth day of cactus, my true love gave to me:

Twelve ‘Sunburst’ drumming, eleven trips to Tucson, ten chollas jumping, nine lithops dancing, eight mams a-milking, seven saguaros spinning, six obesas blooming, five golden barrels, four claret cups, three hens-and-chicks, two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree.

Happy AloeDays, one and all! — Debra

My goal is to share the beauty of waterwise, easy-care succulents in gardens, containers and landscapes via blog postsnewsletterspublic speaking and workshopsphotosvideosmerchandise, and social media (Facebook and Pinterest). My books: Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardensand Succulents Simplified.  www.debraleebaldwin.com 

Debra Lee Baldwin
Award-winning garden photojournalist Debra Lee Baldwin authored Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens, and Succulents Simplified, all Timber Press bestsellers. Her goal is to enhance others' enjoyment and awareness of waterwise plants and gardens by showcasing the beauty and design potential of succulents via books, articles, newsletters, photos, videos, social media and more. Debra and husband Jeff live in the foothills north of San Diego. She grew up in Southern California on an avocado ranch, speaks conversational Spanish, and at age 18 graduated magna cum laude from USIU with a degree in English Literature. Her hobbies include thrifting, birding and watercolor painting. Debra's YouTube channel has had over 3,000,000 views.
Debra Lee Baldwin
Debra Lee Baldwin
19 comments… add one

Leave a Comment

Rita Xavier December 20, 2010, 12:33 pm

Wonderful, and I sang along. Photos are gorgeous, Debra.

Hi, Rita — That tickles me that you sang along. I can’t sing, but somehow I still got this stuck in my head. — Debra

Rebecca Sweet December 20, 2010, 12:49 pm

Thank you for giving me a new Christmas song this season! Love, love, love it!

You’re welcome, Sweet Rebecca. Btw, my husband gave me the idea with “five gol-den barrels.” — Debra

Lisa at Greenbow December 20, 2010, 3:17 pm

I loved this look at the cactus. You deserve all those trips to collect such wonderful photos to share. Happy Holidays to you too.

Thanks, Lisa. Yes, lots of travel, and never without a camera! — Debra

Loree / danger garden December 20, 2010, 3:51 pm

Debra!!! This is fabulous, thank you!

Hi, Loree — Glad you enjoyed it ;+) — Debra

Jacqueline Schick December 20, 2010, 7:54 pm

What fantastic pictures and wonderful lyrics. I am always amazed at the beauty of cactus. Makes me want to lift the picture for a chile-chocolate!

Happy Holidays!

I know. I love cacti, and would have more if they were friendlier. — Debra

Toni - Signature Gardens December 20, 2010, 10:50 pm

Very clever post!! Good job 🙂 I went to Tucson for the first time a couple years ago and it was gorgeous. We went to a desert botanical garden; it was amazing!! Who knew there were so many varieties of cacti (at least 12!)

Hi, Toni — Many of these photos were taken when I was in Arizona earlier this year. There are several wonderful botanic gardens, including Tohono Chul in Tucson, where I photographed the dove nesting (amazingly) in the cholla. — Debra

Billie December 20, 2010, 11:36 pm

I sang along!! Thanks!!

Hi, Billie — Looks like we could get a whole choir going! — Debra

Marie December 21, 2010, 7:29 am

Wonderfully clever and happy post. Great photos. I’m sure the tune will be stuck in my head all day!

Thanks, Marie. Yes, it’s been stuck in my head ever since I wrote it. At least it’s better than “Frosty the Snowman” or “Santa Baby”! — Debra

Town Mouse December 21, 2010, 10:28 pm

Ah, not many could have even dreamt this up. I myself probably know about 3 cactus by name…What a cool post!

Thanks, Ms. Mouse. Btw, I took liberties and included a few succulents that aren’t cactus. I had more photos of those, and in any case, the Latin names of most cacti are polysyllabic and unpronounceable!

Saxon December 22, 2010, 12:55 am

On the 12th day, could those be the drums of Billy Goodnick of the King Bees?!

Ha! I don’t think Billy would get much music out of those drums. They were at an exhibit at the San Diego County Fair, a year or two ago when it had a musical theme. — Debra

Kat December 23, 2010, 12:02 am

Only a true, true love would give one Chollas.

Kat, LOL. Btw, when I addressed the Tucson Cactus & Succulent Society, I made the comment “I don’t really recommend that anyone grow cholla,” and they hissed (in a good-natured way). During Q&A, many hands were raised, with members telling me how beautiful cholla can be. I promised to look into it (gingerly). The result is my GGW post, “The Joys of Cholla.” — Debra

janine robinson December 23, 2010, 4:23 pm

that was darling! so original and refreshing! have a happy holiday!!

Bracey Tiede December 24, 2010, 2:40 pm

Love it! Happy Aloe Days to you too!

Thanks, Bracey~ wish I could remember who used that phrase, which I delightedly pounced on. Helps to say it aloud ;+) Debra

Steve Asbell December 26, 2010, 3:01 pm

This was great, Debra! Just curious, but what type of prickly pear is that? I have a couple that I started from a generic seed packet and they’re starting to get pretty big, resembling your dove apartment up there. 🙂

Hi, Steve — Thanks for stopping by! It’s Cylindropuntia fulgida, the same cactus shown later on in the post. A type of cholla. I took poetic license calling it “prickly pear,” btw, which is the common name for plants in the genus Opuntia. You also might enjoy my earlier (and more horticulturally accurate) post, The Joys of Cholla.– Debra

Dixie December 28, 2010, 5:02 am

What beautiful photos! I love the picture of the golden barrels – especially as I got one today! – Dixie from South Africa

You did?! I love golden barrels. They add such texture, contrast and whimsy to gardens. One of my favorite plants, and perhaps my fave cactus. You might enjoy this article I wrote about them for the Los Angeles Times: http://www.debraleebaldwin.com/images_articles/Sullivan.htm. — Debra

Donna@Gardens Eye View December 21, 2015, 8:10 am

Perfect Debra…loved how cleverly you used all these cactus! And I sang along too….

Happy Aloe-days to you too!

Christy December 21, 2015, 12:55 pm

VERY CLEVER, DEBRA! THANKS FOR A FUN RENDITION OF A FAVORITE SONG.

Pat December 22, 2015, 2:01 am

Hi Debra,
You are so clever! your song made me smile 🙂 Loved your photos…Beautiful!! Merry christmas to you!

Vikram Mohan February 25, 2016, 5:44 am

Hello,

Can you please help me with some information on your Aeonium suncup (variegated). does the pink / purple colouring on the tips indicate the plant is in some form of stress such as not getting sunlight or water?

Mine were not that way when I bought it but now the tips are turning pink / purple and some of the big older leaves are shriveling..

Appreciate any help you can give as I love this plant.

Thanks.

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