Opuntia Fever

Opuntia Fever is on...............Awesome plants to add to any garden style no matter where you live whether in the Midwest, South, Pacific Northwest, or back East. Most varieties will handle zone 5, but there are a few that can tolerant a zone 3. Native only to the Western hemisphere; however, they have been introduced to other parts of the globe. Found in abundance in Mexico, especially in the central and western regions. Being found in the Western United States, in arid regions in the Northwest, throughout the mid and lower elevations of the Rocky Mountains such as in Colorado,  where species such as O. phaeacantha, O. polyacantha, and others are dominant, and especially in the desert Southwest. They are also the only type of cactus found to grow natively far east of the Great Plains states; O. humifusa is widespread throughout southern New England and Long Island, as well as throughout the northern Great Lakes states and southern Ontario, Canada.

Photographs are the varieties that have been planted here at Beech Street. A good note to remember, if you plant Opuntia the best time is Spring or early Summer so the roots have the time to develop better before the cold and wet weather sets in.

Opuntia acanthocarpa
'Buckhorn Cholla'  
USDA hardiness zone 5

Opuntia barliaris

'Sara's Compact' 
USDA hardiness zone 5

Opuntia erinacea var columbiana
USDA hardiness zone 5

Opuntia 
unknown variety 

Painted Hills Eastern Oregon

Opunita 
unknown variety 

Prineville Oregon

Opuntia

'Red Gem'
USDA hardiness zone 4

Opuntia santa-rita x O. basilaris

'Baby Rita'
USDA hardiness zone 6

Opuntia

Unknown Species

Opuntia polycantha

Citrus Punch
USDA hardiness zone 4 or below

Opuntia polycantha

The photographs of the O. polycanthna 

above and below represent 3 years growth. 

Yes they are single plants started with one pad.

Opuntia polycanthna

Opuntia 

unknown variety

Rooting for placement in the gardens next year

 Check out the website below for more information:

Opuntiads Web