Echinocereus coccineus (Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus)
Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus, Claret Cup, Mexican Claret Cup
Hummingbird-attracting, Echinocereus coccineus (Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus) is a small clumping cactus with barrel-shaped or columnar ribbed stems, forming large colonies of as many as 50-100 semi-erect, thick, dark green stems at maturity. The stems may be densely spiny or almost without spines. They are composed of 8 to 11 ribs with slightly undulated crests. The yellow spines turn gray with age. Bright orange, scarlet or pink flowers with rounded petals decorate the plant from spring to early summer. Long-lasting, the showy flowers, 3 in. long (8 cm), are adorned with creamy-yellow at the base of their petals, highlighting their bright green stigma at their center. There are many thready pink stamens at the center of their corolla and a thick nectar chamber that is visited by hummingbirds. The blooms give way to reddish edible fruits, that are devoured by wildlife. Echinocereus coccineus is a lovely plant for a rock garden or containers where it will form attractive, bold clumps.
- Grows up to 6-24 in. tall (15-60 cm) and forms clusters to 3 ft. wide (90 cm).
- Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Water regularly when in growth. Excellent drainage is critical to avoid rot issues. Keep the plant dry in winter. Drought tolerant.
- Great for desert gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Great in decorative containers too.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Susceptible to fungal diseases if overwatered.
- Deer and rabbit resistant. The flowers produce nectar and are attractive to birds and bees
- Native to the Southwestern USA (Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California) and Mexico.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 6" – 2' (15cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, California, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
Laurens Hoddenbagh, Shutterstock, Andrey Zarkikh, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 6" – 2' (15cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, California, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |