Tom, The very spikey one was sold as O. engelmanii, and it has large pads when compared to humifusa. The other one has even larger pads, but fewer spikes. It was labeled simlply as Opuntia species. I haven't been able to identify it yet. This year (right now in fact) it has several fairly large ripe fruits. The O. humifusa does get all shriveled and even a purplish color in coldest weather, but come next spring it bounces back and grows like a weed. I've had that one for over 40 years, but when I had the yard relandscaped, large mats of it got trashed. I did manage to save a few clumps, and they spread quickly. It was not unusual to have 500+ blooms on the original clump, as it was over 10' in diameter. The soil under the stones is average, and I didn't amend it. There is weed cloth under the stones. I didn't amend because I formed slight mounds for drainage, and also the front of the house is in blazing sun all year and also has full air circulation so it dries out well. Most of the plants you see are in the third year, but the ice plants are about 10 years old and were replanted when that area was constructed. The Yucca is about 15 years old.

The coldest temperatures are usually around the end of December through January, with a few scattered cold days (just barely below freezing) in February and March. I've seen the temperature drop to 22 degrees, but not every year. Usually, about 28 degrees is the coldest, and it doesn't stay under freezing for very long, only a couple hours. I do have some cacti, succulents, spider plants, prickly fern (and a few other plants) outside all year, but they don't tolerate full sun, so I have them hidden, where they get very little sun, or no sun. The prickly fern, however, does tolerate full sun, no sun, partial sun, very hot weather (even up to 118 degrees F!), and the very cold, even the lowest temperatures down to 22 degrees. I lost some beautiful jades and spider plants from heavy ice on the leaves (winter of 06-07), and about eight years earlier, so I've brought all my jades inside, and some other succulents along with some cacti. They are doing very well inside! Although, I don't expect that they will flower with no sun ... - Riding 4 Life http://vj4him.blogspot.com/

The HD and Lowes here have gone crazy with there prices.They only have S.minors,Green Mediterranean fans,and B.capitatas.They do have one more type W.robustas,the worst looking ones I've ever seen. Chad, The T.fortuneis they have here are no where near the size of the ones in your picture.They have 1gal.size palms in 3gal.size pots for $20. There doing that with all there cold hardy palms here.There all a lot smaller than what size pot they have them in.Then there priced twice what they was last year.I cant believe what there doing.Most of them has some type of disease on them also.You would think there selection would get better and there sizes would be at least what there supposed to be. If HD and Lowes keep doing this it will drive people away from buying palm trees.It's sad to because there is no other places that sell cold hardy palms around here anymore.They need to get there palms from some other vendor than the one there using. I just thought I would post about this so people wouldn't think it's just in the north.I'm going back to the Internet myself to buy my palms from. If anybody knows of a good nursery around Atlanta,GA.that sells a good selection of palms at reasonable prices,please let me know. Randy

Realpalmtrees.com (in Florida) Hands down one of the best sellers/growers. Only problem is they are quite expensive. If price is not a big factor you would do quite well buying from them. Their palms are certified and guaranteed. I got an Xmas palm from them a couple years ago and it shipped in the pot and was (and still is) perfect. It was about 6' tell when I bought it. Good luck, I'm sure others here will chime in with plenty of other trusted sellers too.