When Stacey bought some hardy cactus from a place in Kansas back in the early 1990’s, I thought she was loony. Now, in 2010, we have all these wonderful varieties and are always looking for more unique ones. Many thanks to Don Campbell and our friends at the Chinle Cactus and Succulent Society. Due to a crop failure in 2022, many of the Echinocereus will be unavailable, or in limited supply for 2023.
Cylindropuntia a. x. thornberi Variegated Flower Cholla
This is a tall shrub like cactus with yellow flowers streaked with reddish blush. This cholla was given to us by Jeff Brimley of Utah.
Cylindropuntia a. x. thornberi’ Variegated Cholla
Ht: 6′
Mature Spread: 4-6′
Shape: Upright
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia davisii Devil’s Cholla or Thistle Cholla
This is a tall shrub like cacti with long golden spines and greenish yellow flowers. The spines glow in the sun.
Cylindropuntia davisii Devil’s Cholla
Ht: 4-5′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4-6′
Shape: Upright
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia davisii x kleiniae Gold-Spined Cholla
We think this cholla is a cross between C. davisii and C. kleiniae. This hybrid has slender stems, gold spines, and a more upright habit than the Devil’s Cholla, yet it has the same yellow flowers.
Ht: 5-6′
Mature Spread: 4-6′
Shape: Upright
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia imbricata Tree Cholla
This is a tall shrub like cacti with light green stems in summer then turns purple in winter. The flowers are deep rose violet followed by large yellow fruits.
Cylindropuntia imbricata Tree Cholla
Ht: 5-8′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 6′
Shape: Upright
Flower Color: Magenta
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia imbricata ‘White Tower’ White Flowered Tree Cholla
This is a tall shrub like cacti with deep green stems and white flowers in the spring.
Cylindropuntia imbricata White Flower Tree Cholla
Ht: 5-6′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 6′
Flower Color: White
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia imbricata x whipplei Pink Flowered Tree Cholla
This is a medium sized shrub like cacti with bright pink flowers. Similar to the tree Cholla but not as tall.
Cylindropuntia imbricata x whipplei Pink Flowering Tree Cholla
Ht:4- 5′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4-6′
Shape: Upright
Flower Color: Pink
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis Christmas Cholla
This is a very thick bushy cholla with very slender stems. Small yellow/green flowers give way to small fruits that become bright red like bulbs on a Christmas tree.
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis Christmas Cholla
Ht: 2-3′
Mature Spread: 4-5′
Shape: Spreading
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia kleiniae Pencil Cholla
This is a slender shrub like cacti with pencil shaped light green stems. The flowers are pink to purple and the fruits are an orange color.
Cylindropuntia kleiniae Pencil Cholla
Ht: 4-5′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4-5′
Shape: Upright
Flower Color: Pink
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia spinosior Walking Stick Cholla
This is a heavily spined Cholla whose stems resemble a bottle brush. The maroon new growth fades to light green. The flowers are a dark reddish purple.
Ht: 5-6′
Mature Spread: 4-6′
Shape: Upright Spreading
Flower Color: Reddish-Purple
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia viridiflorus Santa Fe Cholla
This is a medium sized cholla with pale green stems and greenish yellow flowers in spring.
Cylindropuntia viridiflorus Santa Fe Cholla
Ht: 5-6′
Mature Spread: 5-6′
Shape: Upright Spreading
Flower Color: Greenish Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia whipplei Whipple or Plateau Cholla
Medium sized Cholla with bright green stems and gold spines. Blooms bright yellow flowers in spring.
Cylindropuntia whipplei Whipple Cholla
Ht: 3-4′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4-5′
Shape: Low Upright
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Cylindropuntia whipplei Silver Spined Cholla
This is a showy Cholla with striking silver spines that catch the sun light. The combination of Silver Spined Cholla and Devil’s Cholla makes for great year-round interest.
Cylindropuntia whipplei Silver Spined Cholla
Ht:4-5′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4-6′
Shape: Upright
Flower Color: Yellow/green
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Echinocereus coccineus Strawberry Hedgehog
Almost indistinguishable from the Claret Cup, but a little more compact.
Ht: 4-8″
Mature Spread: 1-2′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Red
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Echinocereus engelmannii Engelmann’s Hedgehog
This is a clumping cactus with large red-magenta flowers. Originates in the Mojave Desert and Great Basin regions. Not currently in production.
Ht: 4-12″
Mature Spread: 1-3′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Red-Magenta
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Echinocereus fendleri Fendler’s Hedgehog
This tends to be a more solitary barrel cactus, but does clump. It has large showy purple blossoms.
Ht: 4-6″
Mature Spread: 6-12′
Shape: Barrel
Flower Color: Purple
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Echinocereus lloydii Lloyd’s Hedgehog
This is a solitary barrel cactus.
Echinocerus lloydii Lloyd’s Hedgehog
Ht: 4-6″
Mature Spread: 6-12″
Shape: Barrel
Flower Color: orange
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Echinocereus triglochidiatus Claret Cup
This is the most commonly found species of Hedgehogs. Forms large mounds of barrel shaped stems. In early summer they are covered with bright red flowers. The fruits are red, juicy and edible.
Echinocereus triglochidiatus Claret Cup
Ht: 4-12″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 1-3′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Red
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Echinocereus triglochidiatus f. inermis Spineless Claret Cup
This is a nearly spineless to spineless form of Claret Cup. Native to Western Colorado and Eastern Utah, they vary from having no spines to having many.
Echinocerus triglochidiatus f. inermis Spineless Claret Cup
Ht: 4-12″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 1-3′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Red
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Echinocereus viridiflorus Green Pitaya
This cactus has stems 2″ wide by 3″ tall, either single or in clumps. 1″ yellow blossoms in May to June.
Echinocerus viridiflorus Green Pitaya
Ht: 2-3″
Mature Spread: 6-12″
Shape: Small Mounding
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Escobaria viviparia Ball Cactus
This cacti has 3″ by 3″ stems will be single or in small clumps. Having many pink 1″ flowers in spring. Currently unavailable.
Ht: 3-4″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4-6″
Shape: Ball/Mounding
Flower Color: Light Pink
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Grusonia clavata f. major Giant Dagger Cholla
This is a low growing mat forming cacti with large club like pads. The pads have vivid white spines that are extremely wicked.
Ht: 4-5″
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Ground Cover
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Grusonia clavata Club Cholla
This is a low growing mat forming cacti with club shaped stems. The young spines are various shades of pink, yellow or red. The mature spines are long white and dagger shaped capable of piercing leather boots.
Grusonia clavata Club Cholla
Ht: 4″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Low Ground Cover
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Maihueniopsis darwinii Patagonia Cactus
This small mounding cactus looks very similar to some Opuntia fragilis selections. It has the same tendency for the pads to break off easily. Originating in Patagonia, our stock came from one of our friends in the Chinle Cactus Club.
Maihueniopsis darwinii Patagonia cactus
Ht: 2-4″
Mature Spread: 1-2′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Orange
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia aurea Yellow Creeping Beavertail
This is a mound forming cacti with large beavertail shaped pad and large dark spines. They have yellow flowers in spring.
Opuntia aurea Yellow Creeping Beavertail
Ht: 1-2′
Mature Spread: 3-4′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Clear Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia aurea ‘Coombe’s Winterglow’ Coombe’s Winterglow
This is a mound forming cacti with pads resembling beavertail cactus. While they appear spineless, the glochids can be very painful. The purplish new pads along with the vibrant pink flowers make it one of the showiest cacti in bloom. The pads turn a deep purple in winter. We previously had this listed erroneously as a beavertail. Native to Arizona, Southern Utah, and Nevada, it was selected by Art Coombe.
Ht: 1-2
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Pink
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia basilaris Beavertail
This is a mound forming cacti with large up to 12″ beavertail shaped pads. The flowers are a deep rose color. Plant in a protected area. The selection shown is from a more southerly source and is not as hardy as some of the smaller padded ones we grow.
Opuntia basilaris Beavertail
Ht: 1-2′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Pink
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia debreczyi v. denuda Potato Cactus
This is a low growing ground covering cactus with few spines. The pads resemble little potatoes.
Opuntia debreczyi v. denuda Potato Cactus
Ht: 2-3″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Ground Cover
Flower Color: Green
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia fragilis Brittle Prickly Pear
This is a low growing ground covering cacti with small rounded pads that crawl along the ground. Flowers range from greenish yellow to pink, and spines can be almost nonexistent to as long as 2 inches. We have several forms available.
Opuntia fragilis Brittle Prickly Pear
Ht: 2-3″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Low Ground Cover
Flower Color: Yellow, Pink
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia fragilis Grey Mound Brittle Prickly Pear
This is a low growing cacti with grey pads and yellow or pink flowers.
Opuntia fragilis Grey Mound Prickly Pear
Ht: 2-3″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Low Ground Cover
Flower Color: Yellow, Pink
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia fragilis Tiny Spiny Brittle Prickly Pear
This is a low growing cacti with numerous tiny bright green pads with yellow flowers.
Opuntia fragilis Tiny Spiny Brittle Prickly Pear
Ht: 2-3″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Low Ground Cover
Flower Color: Yellow, Pink
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia humifusa Smooth or Eastern Prickly Pear
This is a mound forming cacti with large bright green pads and very few spines. The flowers are bright yellow that blooms a little later than most varieties. They need protected area or a light cover to keep it looking good during winter.
Opuntia humifusa Smooth Prickly Pear
Ht: 8″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 3′
Shape: Low mounding
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Dry to Very Dry
Opuntia macrocentra Purple Prickly Pear
This is a large padded cactus with black spines and blue-green pads that turn purple during winter. The flowers are a nice yellow with a reddish-orange center.
Ht: 1-2′
Mature Spread: 4-6′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 6
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia phaeacantha Purple-Fruited Prickly Pear
This is a mound forming cacti with large light green pads and few spines. The flowers are bright yellow to red, and then followed by red purple juicy fruits. We have selections in these different colors: Persimmon, Pink, Red, Yellow, and Watermelon.
Opuntia phaeacantha Purple Fruited Prickly Pear
Ht: 1-2′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4-5′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Yellow, pink, red
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia polyacantha Plains Prickly Pear
This is a mound forming ground cover cacti with large spiny pads which turn purple in winter. The flowers are yellow or pink. Fruits are tan, dry.
Opuntia polyacantha Plains Prickly Pear
Ht: 1-2′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Yellow to Pink
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia polyacantha ‘Crystal Tide’ White Flowering Prickly Pear
This is a mound forming ground cover cacti with slender white spines. They have very showy, white flowers.
Opuntia polyacantha ‘Crystal Tide’
Ht: 8-12″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4′
Shape: Low Mounding
Flower Color: White
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia polyacantha ‘Tequila Sunrise’ Tequila Sunrise Prickly Pear
This is our own selection of the Plains Prickly Pear. Yellow flower buds open into a 2″ yellow flower with an orange center. The second day, the entire flower is orange, as more yellow ones are opening.
Opuntia polyacantha Tequila Sunrise
Ht: 1-2′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 4′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Yellow/Orange
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia polyacantha v. nicholii Navajo Bridge Prickly Pear
This is a heavily spined mound forming cacti with bright yellow flowers.
Opuntia polyacantha v. nicholii Navajo Bridge Prickly Pear
Ht: 1-2′
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Clear Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 5
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia polyacantha v. schweriniana Starvation Prickly Pear
This is a dense mound forming cacti with circular pads only 1 to 2 inches across. They have beautiful pink flowers.
Opuntia polyacantha v. schweriniana Starvation Prickly Pear
Ht: 6-12″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 1-2′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Pink
Hardiness: Zone 4
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia polyacantha v. tricophora Hair-Spined Prickly Pear
This mounding cactus is covered in long white spines, giving it a grizzled appearance.It has medium sized pads and clear yellow flowers in spring. Our selection comes from southeastern Utah.
Opuntia polyacantha v. tricophora Hair-Spined Prickly Pear
Ht: 1-2′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Very Dry
Opuntia pottsii Pott’s Prickly Pear
This is a mound forming cacti with semi upright pads and pale red flowers. Not currently in production.
Opuntia pottsii Pott’s Prickly Pear
Ht: 1-2′ *Native*
Mature Spread: 2-3′
Shape: Mounding
Flower Color: Red
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Very Dry
Pediocactus simpsonii Mountain Ball Cactus
This is a small mound forming ball shaped cacti with white star shaped spines. The flowers are pastel shades of white to pink. Not currently in production.
Pediocactus simpsonii Mt. Ball Cactus
Ht: 3-8″ *Native*
Mature Spread: 8″
Shape: Barrel
Flower Color: White
Hardiness: Zone 3
Full Sun
Dry to Very Dry