Cacti

The Saguaro defines the Sonoran Desert. They grow slowly from the tissue ant the very top of a wide, ribbed spiny thick column. In the wild, seeds germinate under the shade of shrubs or trees, which are called nurse plants. These nurse plants provide protection from the elements until they are sizeable to grow past their helpful nurses, eventually out competing them for water and space. They bloom at the tops of their arms when mature enough with white funnel-form blooms, usually in clusters. The bat pollinated blooms give way to large, succulent red oval fruits. Some supplemental water is helpful to establish young saguaros during the summer months, but little to no water is needed once mature.

This captivating cactus demands a second glance. No other species in the cacti family has this unique growth pattern. Its twisting, swirling bright green columns, delicately accented with small spines, create an illusion of motion in any garden – hence its fitting moniker, the ‘Twisted Cactus.’ Originating from Brazil, modern hybridization has refined this species, revealing echoes of its lineage from the Cereus peruvianus cacti. Mirroring its parent’s candelabra-like growth, it can reach heights of 5-6 feet under ideal conditions. Come late spring, it unfurls spectacular white blossoms tinged with pink. Resilient by nature, this species thrives in full or partial sun and is drought-tolerant once established. Monthly deep watering from May to August is ample, but shield it from temperatures dropping below 28°F in the winter.

This is a large and robust, cylindrical type cacti with deep ribs that branch typically from the base to form a large candelabra-looking plant. Blue-green waxy flesh with 3-5 distinctive ribs that are protected by short, sharp gray spines. In late spring to early summer, large funnel-shaped fragrant white blooms form along the tops and edges of these ribs, which are followed by large red to pink colored fruits that look like apples, hence their common name. These are durable and adaptable large and sculptural cacti. They perform best in well-drained soils, but they are not fussy, and they can exist with little to no water, but have the fullest and healthiest appearance with periodic deep, watering about once per month from May to Aug.

Blue-green spiny columnar cacti with deep ribs with a lumpy or bumpy irregular appearance. Its limbs are usually 4 in. thick and branch from the base growing as individual vertical columns. Spines are needle-like, nearing 1 inch long, and grow out of areoles spaced about 1 in. apart along the bumpy ribs. These plants grow more slowly than the straight species, but they can eventually grow into a full tree-cacti form, so give them space and avoid crowding them or planting them with any overhead obstructions. They will accept moderate irrigation during warmer months, if they are planted in well-drained soils.

These Bolivian native cacti are best known and recognized for their fuzzy coat of dense wooly white hairs. These are clumping cacti with 2-3 inch wide strong vertical columns that have sharp, yellow spines that protrude through their fury, sun blocking cover. In early spring, bright tubular red flowers are formed near the tops of mature columns. These are easy to grow cacti with tolerance to heat and drought as expected. Avoid overwatering, but plants can be given infrequent light waterings during the hottest summer months without issue.

Teddy Bear Cholla are multi-branched cacti made up of light green colored joints or branches that are about 2-5 in. long by about 1.5-2 in. thick. Their common name relates to each joint being covered in numerous, sharp spines that create a fuzzy, golden-brown appearance. Their highly evolved spine tips have microscopic, backward facing barbs that allow the joints to hold tight to objects, fur or flesh that happen to get too close in an adept form of physical dispersal and self-proliferation. Plant them in naturalistic designs, in well-drained soils, while taking advantage of available back-lighting opportunities. Of course, keep away from any pedestrian areas.

These are dramatic arborescent chollas that are native in southern AZ with disjunct populations in NM and TX. These large growing plants are made up of numerous joints up to 1 ft. long that are encircled with purple-gray, sharp 1 in. long spines. They bloom from spring into summer with wide ranging flower colors. Most typically flowers are golden yellow, but some populations have red, orange to deep copper colored blooms. These are durable, easy-to-grow and maintain native cacti.  Low water use in well-drained soils. Cactus wren nests can often be found safely nestled within their spiny branches.

These handsome golden-spine ball-shaped cacti are native to SE Mexico. They have a massive water storage capacity with the ribs becoming shallow and wider apart as the plants absorb more water. The curving, firm sharp spines are held along the ribs from the bottom becoming more numerous toward the top of the plants. Yellow camouflaged but attractive blooms form in a ringed pattern at the top of the plant in spring. These are adaptable, easy to grow sculptural plants popular with winter visitors to the low deserts. With age they have the capacity to produce offsets and multiply into large multi-clustered specimens that are quite stunning. Well-drained soils with light watering only during warmer months. Golden barrels are offered in many container sizes and as easy-to-handle field grown individual bareroot plants and clusters. Please call our sales team for details and current availability.

These are short columnar, clump forming formidable cacti covered in numerous long cloaking spines. They are native to rocky, hills, slopes, flats and wash edges either out on their own in full sun or often growing adjacent to a small nurse plant shrubs. The spines are white to golden in color with green flesh. In spring flowers are wide bright magenta pink that form near the tops of several mature cylindrical stems. Despite their prickly demeanor they are low maintenance, easy-to-grow and blend into any native landscape designs. Plant in well-drained soils with light water during the heat of the summer or while in bloom.