Opuntia alert!!!

Well I keep talking about loving opuntia, seeing unlabelled opuntia, asking for the opuntia fairy to help me choose the right ones etc.  And I found myself meandering through a nursery that I all but gave up on when I came across spikes!  I didn't have my camera - regret - because like I said, I had all but given up.  But I did not let the opportunity to pick up a labelled opuntia pas me by.  Better yet, it was sitting outside with the sempervivums which in my books meant it was the one.

These darn right nasty spikes are what first got my attention....

I have to find the right place for this and I have several ideas.  One of which being right out at the roadside.  It would get mega heat, full sun, and could serve as a warning to all who enter - spiky plants present at this home.  But then again I think of the children who like to play outside on the road.  A bad crash into opuntia would certainly do some damage .... hmmm.

Another part of me thought about breaking off two paddles and making it three!!  But I don't quite have the heart for that.

I was most impressed by this tag action going on.  Only when I got home and googled opuntia petra there were few results.  But one of them directed me to a link that I couldn't for the life of me get to open of opuntia petra growing on Vancouver Island ... good sign.

I'm thinking the best place for this thing is to the left of the yucca gloriosa variegata and behind and in between this yucca 'bright star' and sedum.  It gets full sun, relatively protected, it would be on the hillside with water draining away from the plant and surrounded by yuccas, sedums, agave and an aloe.  That's the plan for now at least.