Opuntia cespitosa - (Red-Center Prickly Pear Cactus)
GARDEN SITE: ☀️. Dry, sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil.
SIZE: ½-1 ft. SPREAD: 1-2 ft.
FLOWERS: Showy, yellow with a red center. June - July.
WILDLIFE: Butterflies and bees.
ZONE: 4-10
NATIVE DISTRIBUTION: AL, GA, OH, KY, TN
A true conversation piece for the garden, Opuntia cespitosa, is the only cacti species native to Tennessee! This semi-evergreen boasts huge, bright yellow flowers with vibrant red centers and edible fruits. A perfect choice to use as a ground cover on hot, dry slopes, rock gardens or any dry area where your garden hose won't reach. It's even tough enough to tolerate clay soil as long as it doesn't remain wet, especially during the winter months. Drought, deer and rabbit tolerant.
GARDEN SITE: ☀️. Dry, sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil.
SIZE: ½-1 ft. SPREAD: 1-2 ft.
FLOWERS: Showy, yellow with a red center. June - July.
WILDLIFE: Butterflies and bees.
ZONE: 4-10
NATIVE DISTRIBUTION: AL, GA, OH, KY, TN
A true conversation piece for the garden, Opuntia cespitosa, is the only cacti species native to Tennessee! This semi-evergreen boasts huge, bright yellow flowers with vibrant red centers and edible fruits. A perfect choice to use as a ground cover on hot, dry slopes, rock gardens or any dry area where your garden hose won't reach. It's even tough enough to tolerate clay soil as long as it doesn't remain wet, especially during the winter months. Drought, deer and rabbit tolerant.
GARDEN SITE: ☀️. Dry, sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil.
SIZE: ½-1 ft. SPREAD: 1-2 ft.
FLOWERS: Showy, yellow with a red center. June - July.
WILDLIFE: Butterflies and bees.
ZONE: 4-10
NATIVE DISTRIBUTION: AL, GA, OH, KY, TN
A true conversation piece for the garden, Opuntia cespitosa, is the only cacti species native to Tennessee! This semi-evergreen boasts huge, bright yellow flowers with vibrant red centers and edible fruits. A perfect choice to use as a ground cover on hot, dry slopes, rock gardens or any dry area where your garden hose won't reach. It's even tough enough to tolerate clay soil as long as it doesn't remain wet, especially during the winter months. Drought, deer and rabbit tolerant.
