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Description:

A low growing spreading succulent cactus with showy butter yellow flowers that bloom in spring followed by red fruits; exceptional as an accent for rock gardens and planters; needs perfect drainage and sandy or gravelly soils

Ornamental Features

Beaver Creek Prickly Pear Cactus is a member of the cactus family, which are grown primarily for their characteristic shapes, their interesting features and textures, and their high tolerance for hot, dry growing environments. As an 'opuntiad' type of cactus, it doesn't actually have leaves, but rather modified succulent stems that comprise the bulk of the plant, and which are designed to retain water for long periods of time. This particular cactus is valued for its spreading habit of growth consisting of spiny grayish green segmented pads that typically form 'branches' which trail along the ground. This plant has buttery yellow cup-shaped flowers held atop the stems in mid summer, which are interesting on close inspection. It features an abundance of magnificent burgundy berries with white spots from late summer to early winter.

This plant is primarily grown as an ornamental, but it's also valued for its edible qualities. The oval sweet fruit is most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Preserves
• Wine-Making

Landscape Attributes

Beaver Creek Prickly Pear Cactus is a small succulent evergreen plant with a spreading habit of growth that trails along the ground. It eventually becomes a spreading shrub-like plant with multiple 'branches' and stems. As a type of cactus, it has no true foliage; the body of the plant is wholly comprised of a linked series of spiny grayish green pads which are connected together to form the branches of the plant.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should never be pruned except to remove any dieback, as it tends not to take pruning well. Wandering segments or shoots can be carefully removed or thinned to control the overall spread of the plant. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Beaver Creek Prickly Pear Cactus is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Beaver Creek Prickly Pear Cactus will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. Like most succulents and cacti, this plant prefers to grow in poor soils and should therefore never be fertilized. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Beaver Creek Prickly Pear Cactus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.