A low-spreading cactus species, Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Cactus) is a bushy succulent shrub with gray-blue, wide and flat, fleshy pads resembling beaver tails. During arid conditions, the pads take on an attractive purple tinge. Lacking the long spines of other prickly pears, the pads are covered with tiny, gray-blue bristles with barbed tips. Sitting on the top edges of the pads, brilliant rose-purple flowers, 2-3 in. wide (5-7 cm), open from spring to early summer. They are followed by small, spineless, brownish-gray fruits that are attractive to birds. This plant forms low clumps and does not develop a woody central trunk.
| Hardiness |
8 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents |
| Plant Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Opuntia |
| Common names | Cactus, Beavertail Cactus, Prickly Pear |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
| Spread | 4' (120cm) |
| Spacing | 48" (120cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, California, Southwest, Arizona, Nevada, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
| Hardiness |
8 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents |
| Plant Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Opuntia |
| Common names | Cactus, Beavertail Cactus, Prickly Pear |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
| Spread | 4' (120cm) |
| Spacing | 48" (120cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, California, Southwest, Arizona, Nevada, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
How many Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Cactus) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Cactus) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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