Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa
Buckhorn Cholla
The light yellow spines of this cactus provide contrast to its medium green skin. Shrublike form and thorns help make it a highly effective security barrier. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Cylindropuntia versicolor
Staghorn Cholla
This cholla-type cactus presents itself in a range of ways. Size can be subshrub scale, or treelike to 10 feet or more. An unusual feature is that flower colors can vary on the same plant. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet
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Echinocactus grusonii
Golden Barrel Cactus
Golden spines against medium green skin are the attraction of this cactus. Mass plantings make a striking statement, or it is effective as a single specimen in a container. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Echinocereus engelmannii
Strawberry Hedgehog
Large, cup-shaped, magenta flowers of Strawberry Hedgehog are quite showy. Be careful of the long spines. Accepts some shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Echinocereus triglochidiatus
Claret Cup
Claret Cup creates a brilliant display of large, red, cup-shaped flowers up to 3 inches across. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Ferocactus cylindraceus
Compass Barrel
The spine color of Compass Barrel may be red or yellow. Its name is due to the fact the cactus tends to grow toward the southwest. Long-lived, and can grow tall with time (decades). Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Ferocactus wislizenii
Fishhook Barrel
This cactus is similar to Compass Barrel, but spines are curved like a fish hook, rather than straight. Can get tall with time (decades). Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Opuntia basilaris
Beavertail Cactus
Watch out for the tiny brown spines in clusters called glochids: They can be a painful hazard. Produces large clusters of striking spring flowers. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Opuntia bigelovii
Teddy Bear Cholla
Fascinating to view, hazardous to touch. Teddy Bear Cholla is an ideal barrier-security plant. Do not plant near pedestrian areas due to its thorns. Plant sections break off to attach themselves readily to passing people or animals. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Opuntia engelmannii
Engelmann's Prickly Pear
Shrublike in form, this cactus spreads wide, becoming an effective barrier. Yellow flowers are showy, followed by red fruits that are loved by birds. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Opuntia engelmannii lindheimeri
Texas Prickly Pear
Texas Prickly Pear is a wide-spreading, clump-forming cactus that can sometimes spread to 15 feet, sometimes more. Spines are yellow, although occasionally there are no spines. Fruit is highly ornamental and is edible. Expect many seeds. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Opuntia lindheimeri var. linguiformis
Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear
Like other Opuntias, requires very little water and can exist on meager natural rainfall. Makes a distinctive accent or barrier plant. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Opuntia phaeacantha
Tulip Prickly Pear
Its sprawling form and ease in which it propagates itself makes this a good barrier plant. Hybridizes easily so appearance and flower color is variable. Supplies interest for several months of the year due to large flowers followed by edible fruits that persist on the plant for months, or until they are eaten by wildlife. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Opuntia robusta
Giant Prickly Pear
Giant Prickly Pear provides a shrublike presence in the landscape. Pads almost as big as dinner plates are striking. Provide plenty of space for its mature growth. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Opuntia santa-rita
Purple Prickly Pear
When conditions are dry or cold, the pads of Purple Prickly Pear often turn an attractive purplish color. Pads are usually armed with bristle-like spines. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Tephrocactus articulatus inermis
Spruce Cones
Its small stature and sprawling form make Spruce Cones a prime candidate for container culture. No spines. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Trichocereus huascha
Argentine Hedgehog
Its sprawling form and ease in which it propagates itself makes this a good barrier plant. Hybridizes easily so appearance and flower color is variable. Supplies interest for several months of the year due to large flowers followed by red edible fruits that persist on the plant for months. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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