Wildlife value of Christmas Cactus — an unexpected bonus

I planted Christmas Cactus primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. architectural sculptural form that needs no flowers to impress seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a dry garden rockery or gravel bed which allows me to watch the activity up close. rapid growth during the warm summer months 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.