Santa-Rita Tubac™ Prickly Pear
Opuntia violacea var. santa-rita
SKU
02546
Large, beautiful yellow flowers rest on the outer edges of spine-covered, fleshy succulent pads. In winter the pads turn to a rich purple color and return to a soft blue-gray with warmer weather. An excellent choice for year-round beauty in arid xeric landscapes or containers. Evergreen.
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Full sun
Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers.
CHECK RETAILERS FOR AVAILABILITY:
- 101 Market
8980 Quantrelle Ave. N.e. Otsego MN 55330
- 14th Street Garden Center
793 Jersey Ave. Jersey City NJ 07303
- 3rd Avenue Floral & Greenhouse
1110 3rd Ave. West Dickinson ND 58601
- 4 Ever Green Ldsp. & Dgn
21457 214th Circle Ave Milford IA 51351
| Botanical Pronunciation | op-UN-shee-a vy-oh-LAH-see-uh |
|---|---|
| Lore | Prickly pear cactus has been a staple of the Mexican and Central American diet for thousands of years. In parts of the U.S. it has been gaining popularity as an exotic, gourmet and healthy addition to one's diet. The prickly pear plant has three different edible sections: the pad of the cactus (nopal), which can be treated like a vegetable, the petals of the flowers, which can be added to salads, and the pear (tuna), which can be treated like a fruit. |
| Average Size at Maturity | Slow to moderate growing; forms clumps 4 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide. |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Early Summer |
| Deciduous/ Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Flower Attribute | Showy Flowers |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Garden Style | Mediterranean, Rustic |
| Growth Habit | Columnar |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Landscape Use | Barrier, Container, Firescaping/Fire Wise, Houseplant, Rock Garden |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Special Feature | Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Gift Plant, Tolerates Poor Soils, Waterwise, Year-round Interest, Tolerates Urban Pollution, Heat Loving |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Watering Needs | Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers. |
| Companion Plants | Agave (Agave); Hens & Chicks (Echeveria); Sedum (Sedum); Red Yucca (Hesperaloe); Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) |
Grows easily in average to lean, rocky, unimproved, fast-draining soils with low moisture. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish root system, allowing soil to become fairly dry between intervals. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates drought. Avoid excess winter moisture. Fertilize sparingly in spring.
This Plant's Growing Zones: ALL
Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Grow Indoors in All Zones