Opuntia ‘Baby Rita’ (Prickly Pear)

Frost hardy, Opuntia ‘Baby Rita’ (Prickly Pear) is a dwarf succulent shrub with colorful, round, ovate, fleshy pads. Covered with spines, the pads turn rich purple in winter before changing back to soft blue gray with warmer temperatures. This purple pad coloration also intensifies in direct sunlight and drought. Sitting on the outer edges of the pads, abundant, brilliant pink flowers appear in spring or early summer and re-bloom modestly throughout the whole summer, creating a stunning contrast with the purple pads. ‘Baby Rita’ Prickly Pear is a very decorative cactus which adds beauty to the garden year-round.

• Slowly grows up to 8-24 in. tall (20-60 cm) and 24 in. wide (60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or light shade, in well-drained soils. This plant tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as they are well-draining. Once established, needs only occasional watering. Avoid excess winter moisture. Drought tolerant.
• This low-maintenance plant is a great choice for xeriscape gardens, rock gardens, Mediterranean gardens and cactus gardens. Lovely in containers too!
• This remarkable plant is deer resistant and is easy to care for.
• Generally disease-free.
• Propagate from woody stem cuttings or from seed.
• Native to the American Southwest into Mexico.