Description: Original collection by Jeff Thompson at the northern most occurrence in Socorro County, New Mexico. Medium powder blue pads can turn purple under drought or cold stress. Flowers yellow with red throats fade to orange.
Cold Hardiness: Z7a-10a, Plants can withstand short periods of intense cold but can succumb to long periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Four pictures.
2 options, medium pad (4-5 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $16.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $21.50 each
Opuntia macrocentra X `Roswell', "Purple Pricklypear", Eddy Co., NM, 4100 feet, 18"H x 60"W
Description: Intermediate hybrid form the Roswell area. Flowers rich yellow with deep red centers, fading to orange.
Cold Hardiness: Z7a-10a, Plants can withstand short periods of intense cold but can succumb to long periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Six pictures.
2 options, medium pad (4-5 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $16.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $21.50 each
Both options sold out. Next availability expected 2026.
Opuntia lindheimeri var. subarmata, "Devils River Texas Pricklypear", Val Verde Co., TX, 1500 feet, 48"H x 72"W
Description: Jumbo sized spineless pads form large upright spreading mats. Flowers light yellow with orange streaks fading to orange.
Cold Hardiness: Z7a-10a, Plants can withstand short periods of intense cold but can succumb to long periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer. Usually the last of the pricklypears to flower.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
2 options, large pad (5-7 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $24.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $29.50 each
Opuntia gilvescens `Veyo', "Bajada Pricklypear", Washington Co., UT, 4800 feet, 36"H x 72"W
Description: Large padded plants form broad, semi erect spreading mats. Flowers yellow with light orange centers fade to orange late in the day.
Cold Hardiness: Z6b-9b
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Five pictures.
2 options, large pad (5-7 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $24.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $29.50 each
Both options sold out. Next availability expected 2026.
Opuntia fragilis `Siskiyou', "Fragile Pricklypear", Siskiyou Co., CA, 2700 feet, 5"H x 24"W
Description: Larger form with thumb sized pads and longer light yellow to brownish spines. Flowers light yellow with red stamens.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full to part.
Flowering Time: Mid to late spring.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. One picture.
2 options, extra small pad (1-2 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $8.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $13.50 each
Opuntia fragilis `Jackson', "Fragile Pricklypear", Jackson Co., OR, 2500 feet, 4"H x 18"W
Description: Small cylindric pads form tight spreading mats. Flowers light yellow.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full to part.
Flowering Time: Mid to late spring.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. One picture.
2 options, extra small pad (1-2 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $8.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $13.50 each
Opuntia columbiana `Spiny Quarters', "Columbia River Pricklypear", Owyhee Co., ID, 3600 feet, 3"H x 12"W
Description: Small, rounded, quarter size pads form low spreading mats. Flowers yellow with red stamens, fading to orange late in the day.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full to part.
Flowering Time: Mid to late spring.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
2 options, extra small pad (1-2 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $8.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $13.50 each
Opuntia columbiana `Little Stars', "Columbia River Pricklypear", Owyhee Co., ID, 3400 feet, 5"H x 18"W
Description: Small elongated pads form low spreading mats. Flowers opening yellow, fading orange to rusty red as the day progresses.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full to part.
Flowering Time: Mid to late spring.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Four pictures.
2 options, extra small pad (1-2 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $8.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $13.50 each
Both options sold out. Next availability expected 2026.
Opuntia basilaris `Mojave Giant', "Beavertail Pricklypear", Nye Co., NV, 6000 feet, 10"H x 36"W
Description: In cultivation, the pads of this form can approach nearly a foot in length. Flowers neon pink.
Cold Hardiness: Z7a-10a, Plants can withstand short periods of intense cold but can succumb to long periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early to mid spring.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Sharp draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
2 options, small pad (3-4 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $12.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $17.50 each
Both options sold out. Next availability expected fall 2025.
Opuntia basilaris `Mojave Blue', "Beavertail Pricklypear", Lincoln Co., NV, 4000 feet, 8"H x 24"W
Description: Large woody shrubs with short white spines. Larger than average pink flowers.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
2 options, medium stem (4-5 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $12.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $17.50 each
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa `Silver Fox', "Silver Cholla", Gold Cholla", Lincoln Co., NV, 5000 feet, 72"H x 60"W
Description: This form with dense silvery spines with a hint of red, especially on new growth. Flowers greenish yellow.
Cold Hardiness: Z6b-9a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Four pictures
2 options, small stem (3-4 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $12.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $17.50 each
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa `Gunlock', "Buckhorn Cholla", Washington Co., UT, 3600 feet, 72"H x 72"W
Description: Short straw yellow spines on skinny stem segments form large woody shrubs in age. This form with orange flowers.
Cold Hardiness: Z7b-10b, Plants can withstand short periods of intense cold but can succumb to prolonged periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Four pictures.
2 options, small stem (3-4 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $12.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $17.50 each
Both options sold out. Next availability expected fall 2026.
Opuntia aurea `Kanab Blue', "Utah Beavertail Pricklypear", Kane Co., UT, 5500 feet. 8"H x 48"W
Description: Spineless bluish gray pads, forming low sprawling mats. Flowers pure yellow, fading to light orange.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Four pictures.
2 options, small pad (3-4 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $12.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $17.50 each
Geoscape Desert Nursery
Cold hardy cactus, succulents, and perennials for the rock gardening enthusiast.
Cactus page 1, Cholla & Pricklypears, Last updated 3/29/25
Spring 2025 Plant List:
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Memo: $20 minimum on plant orders. Thank you.
Opuntia x `Majestic', Washington Co., UT, 4000 feet, 10"H x 60"W
Description: Intermediate hybrid form with medium sized pads and few thick upper spines. Jumbo sized vivid pink flowers up to five inches in diameter.
Cold Hardiness: Z7a-10a, Plants can endure short periods of intense cold but can succumb to long periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
2 options, medium pad (4-5 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $16.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $21.50 each
Both options sold out. Next availability expected fall 2025.
Opuntia chlorotica (dwarf form), "Pancake Pricklypear", Coconino Co., AZ, 5300 feet, 48"H x 48"W
Description: A rare high elevation dwarf form occurring in Pinyon-Juniper woodlands on a steep south facing slope. Plants are relatively short statured and pads smaller compared to their more southern, open desert counterparts. Flowers yellow with orange streaks occur later than most other Opuntia.
Cold Hardiness: Z7a-10a. This population with regular snow and freezing during winter and has endured 0 F in my trials with little to no damage.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Drainage & Soil Mix: Elevated, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail, This will open a new window. Two pictures.
2 options, medium pad (4-5 inch average) no root fresh cutting for $16.50 or rooted cutting, shipped bare root for $21.50 each
Both options sold out. Next availability expected fall 2025.
