Hardy cacti in the perennial garden

14 years ago

How many gardeners here are incorporating cacti and other succulents into their gardens in colder zones (i.e. above zone 8)?

I am experimenting in a small way with Opuntia polycantha 'Red Glory'. I started a small plant from seed a few years ago. It put on scanty growth indoors and didn't impress much even with a summer outdoors, and I didn't bother bringing the pot in from the patio a couple of autumns ago. Much to my surprise it sprouted new pads come spring, so I transplanted it to a favorable well-drained spot and it has come through the winter (which featured a couple of lows to -12F or so) and now is showing fresh growth.

A local nursery has a big patch of some kind of Opuntia in a raised bed by its front entrance and it flowers nicely every year.

I am wary of these plants because of their nasty little mini-spines (glochids) which can get embedded in your skin and are hard to remove. The flowers of my variety may be worth the risk.

Another experimental planting (of a small hardy agave, A. parryi) looks to have failed. I might try again with a bigger and better protected specimen and hope for relatively mild winters until it gets established.

Your experiences?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

echinaceamaniac
14 years ago
I'm in zone 7. I'm growing spineless prickly pear. I love it. It never fails me. The plant I'm most impressed with is red false yucca. I also purchased a yellow false yucca from High Country Gardens. These are beautiful and multiply. Unlike true yuccas, they don't cut you if you get too close.
coolplantsguy
14 years ago
I've grown Opuntia humifusa from seed for a few years, and they do great in the garden here. They can look pretty "beat up" come the end of winter, but perk right up, producing new pads and even flowering.

I have yet to figure out and/or attempt to eat whatever part is edible. ;)
Related Discussions
WANTED: Zone 5 Hardy Cacti and Delospermas
Q
Comments (2)
Opuntia Polyacantha X Opuntia Macrorhiza Hybrid, good in zones 5-8
...See More
WANTED: Zone 5 Hardy Cacti and Delospermas
Q
Comments (0)
Hi all, I'm always looking for a new hardy cactus to try out in my garden, so far Opuntias (of course) and Escobaria missouriensis have done very well, but i would love to expand. Here is what i already have, stuff big enough to trade cuttings of is marked with a * Opuntia humifisa** Opuntia NOID "trailing cactus" spineless (likely O. humifisa)* Opuntia macrorhiza(?)* Escobaria missouriensis Opuntia polyacantha var. rhodantha 'Dark Knight'* Cylindropuntia imbricata (didn't make it though last winter outdoors)* Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (didn't make it though last winter outdoors) Opuntia fragilis var dentada (would like a spiney var as well) Delosperma "John Proffet"* Delosperma "fire spinner" Delosperma basuticum
...See More
New forum for cold-hardy cacti & succulents?
Q
Comments (26)
Tom, The very spikey one was sold as O. engelmanii, and it has large pads when compared to humifusa. The other one has even larger pads, but fewer spikes. It was labeled simlply as Opuntia species. I haven't been able to identify it yet. This year (right now in fact) it has several fairly large ripe fruits. The O. humifusa does get all shriveled and even a purplish color in coldest weather, but come next spring it bounces back and grows like a weed. I've had that one for over 40 years, but when I had the yard relandscaped, large mats of it got trashed. I did manage to save a few clumps, and they spread quickly. It was not unusual to have 500+ blooms on the original clump, as it was over 10' in diameter. The soil under the stones is average, and I didn't amend it. There is weed cloth under the stones. I didn't amend because I formed slight mounds for drainage, and also the front of the house is in blazing sun all year and also has full air circulation so it dries out well. Most of the plants you see are in the third year, but the ice plants are about 10 years old and were replanted when that area was constructed. The Yucca is about 15 years old.
...See More
Anyone here have experience growing winter hardy cacti in Ohio?
Q
Comments (5)
I can't speak for Ohio..But here in Milwaukee, WI we're a zone 5. We have cold wet winters and avge rainfall in summer. The best is to raise your bed. That will help immensely. Also a nice gravel mulch is good also. I, personally, do not cover anything. Some leaves do float in and I have learned to not be so meticulous in my fall cleanup. I think it has helped some things like Delospermas come through the winters. If you feel the need to cover anything I would not do the whole bed. Make a tent of some plastic sheeting and just lay it over the individual plants like a pup tent (weighted down on opposite sides and left open on the other ends for ventilation). Just my 2 cents worth, and what works for me may not work for everybody. Dave Milwaukee
...See More
bradarmi
14 years ago
I have several, they are my new obsession. Winter temps are nothing but winter wet is the thing to worry about. Of course, typicall sedum, sempervium, and yucca would do fine. Many opuntunias (humriffosa, imbricata, and others do quite well wedged between some gravely sand with some native soil and placed on top of some rocks. Also, delosperma is supposed to be hardy but I havent seen it return yet and I have it wedged between 2 cinder blocks in a 24" rasied bed facing SW (thats as hot as it gets).

Red hot poker, lavender, lambs ear, aubrieta, iberis, and basket of gold (allysum) and tulips actually look really good with these plants that and appreciate the same growing conditions. I also tried echinocereous richvaldi (sp?) and it made it through its first year covered in 2-3 feet of snow (its planted next to the driveway and sidewalk). I have agave (utahensis)too, but chickeded out at teh last minute and kept it potted in an unheated shed with windows over the winter.

Edible part of prickly pear is the red pear-shaped fruit that comes from the yellow flowers. The flowers openin mearly June-ish and the fruit ripens over the summer.

I found Intermountain Cactus to be affordable since they send cuttings that will root for you and the shipping is not bad either.
steve1young
14 years ago
I hope you don't mind if I highjack the thread here, but I'm wondering which of the Opuntunias are thornless? Also, for those who have tried a variety of Opuntunias in the northeast, what are your favorites (thornless or otherwise)?

Thank you!
coolplantsguy
14 years ago
A local specialty nursery here offers one called Opuntia 'Lemon Spreader' that apparently has no thorns.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lost Horizons

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Lovely Water-Wise Perennials for High Altitudes

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Even if your climate is cold and dry, you can still celebrate spring with these hardy and colorful perennials

Full Story

FALL GARDENING Frost-Hardy Foliage That Loves a Cold-Climate Garden

By Paintbox Garden

When winter cuts a bleak swath through other plants, these edibles and perennials flourish brilliantly

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Cold- and Heat-Tolerant Perennials and Shrubs for the Arid West

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

These flowering native plants shrug off the cold of winter and heat of summer while adding beauty to the drought-tolerant landscape

Full Story

PLANTING IDEAS Want a More Colorful, Natural Garden? Try a Perennial Meadow

By Frank Organ

Spend less time tending and more time taking in the sights by improving on Victorian and prairie garden designs

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

By Le jardinet

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

Full Story

SUMMER GARDENING 10 Perennials to Extend Your Garden's Summer Color

By LuAnn Brandsen

Revive summer-weary gardens with outstanding late bloomers such as toad lily, Russian sage, blanket flower and more

Full Story

SUMMER GARDENING 6 Water-Wise Perennials for Blazing High-Altitude Summers

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Scorching weather and high elevations don't have to mean scraggly plantings. These blooms are as gorgeous as they are tough

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Gorgeous Perennials to Plant Now

By The Estate of Things

Take advantage of warm spring weather to create a colorful garden with blooming plants, succulents and ornamental grasses

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Retreat to the Shade of Hardy Catalpa

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Big foliage and a towering height provide a shady respite in summer, but that's not all hardy catalpa offers dedicated gardeners

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sea Grape, a Hardy Coastal Delight

By Steve Asbell

Up to the high-tide line or even indoors, sea grape draws smiles for its looks and cheers for its tenacity

Full Story

Hardy cacti in the perennial garden

Comments (5)

echinaceamaniac

coolplantsguy

Related Discussions

bradarmi

steve1young

coolplantsguy

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US