Cylindropuntia (Opuntia) spinosior

Cylindropuntia (Opuntia) spinosior is an extremely hardy and ornamental cholla cactus from the US and Mexico that can reach 5-8 feet tall! Its long, cylindrical segments can develop purple tints beneath the attractive white to grey spines. This species can have white, yellow, red, or magenta flowers. We are guessing that our clone is magenta but we are not yet sure. On the west coast, provide sharp drainage and protection from winter rain — scree gardens or under overhangs of the house both work well. Elsewhere they can be planted out in the open but always in sharp drainage.