If thorns bring bad luck, then universal garden favourites such as roses and bougainvilleas that need so much care and attention and resemble thorny bushes for a major part of the year should be abandoned. On the contrary, cactus appears attractive all the year round, even when it's not flowering. Don't shun cacti because of their thorns; there are many cactus species without thorns and are much sought after by gardening enthusiasts and are a collector's delight.
