Opuntia elatior (Red-Flower Prickly Pear)
Red-Flower Prickly Pear, Broad Prickly Pear, Cactus tuna var. elatior, Opuntia bergeriana, Opuntia megalantha, Opuntia nigricans
Opuntia elatior (Red-Flower Prickly Pear) is a big succulent shrub, eventually becoming tree-like, with a well-defined primary trunk and a profusion of flat, oblong, olive green pads, up to 16 in. long (40 cm). Bright white, needle-like spines (aging to gray-brown) are clustered in groups of 2-8. Sitting on the outer edges of the pads, a profusion of large, long-lasting, orange or reddish flowers appear in spring or summer. They are followed by egg-shaped fruits, that ripen to reddish-pink.
- Typically grows up to 3-8 ft. tall and wide (90-240 cm).
- Performs best in full sun in well-drained soils. This plant tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as they are well-draining. Extra water during the dry summer months is encouraged but seldom needed. Drought tolerant once established.
- This low-maintenance plant is a great choice for xeriscape gardens, Mediterranean gardens and desert gardens.
- This remarkable plant is deer resistant and is easy to care for.
- Generally pest and disease free.
- Propagate from stem cuttings.
- Red-Flower Prickly Pear is regarded as a potential environmental weed in many parts of Australia.
- Native to northern South America, southern Central America and the southern Lesser Antilles.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Opuntia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 3' – 8' (90cm – 240cm) |
Spread | 3' – 8' (90cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 84" – 96" (210cm – 240cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
123RF Stock Photo, Bernard Dupont (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 | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Opuntia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 3' – 8' (90cm – 240cm) |
Spread | 3' – 8' (90cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 84" – 96" (210cm – 240cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |