Opuntia sanguinicola - Prickly Pear

The Opuntia sanguinicola is one of the few varieties of prickly pear that can be easily grown in a regular, non-rocky, well-drained, even limestone soil. This resistant and hardy plant forms a bush with a tentacle-like appearance, wider than it is tall, composed of slightly spiny, wide and rounded "paddles" adorned with numerous small tufts of cinnamon-colored hairs, which are decorative. It is also interesting for its brilliant flowering, with its delightful yellow-orange flowers adding an exotic touch to arid areas and dry gardens. Hardy prickly pears are cultivated outdoors, in open ground and away from high traffic areas. These 'cacti' can thus express the spirit that inhabits them, that of the desert landscapes of North America.

The Opuntia sanguinicola, a close relative of the Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus indica), a succulent plant without true leaves from the cactus family. This botanical species is native to Texas, where it is found primarily in flatlands, in deep, calcareous soils. An adult specimen will reach about 40 cm (16in) in height and spread laterally up to 1 m (3ft). Its growth is moderately fast, with the plant producing 1 or 2 new paddles per year from spring to autumn. The vegetation consists of paddles or cladodes that are stacked on top of each other, flattened, fleshy, round to oval in shape, sometimes heart-shaped, and can measure up to 20 cm (8in) in length. They are bluish-green in color, sometimes tinged with pinkish-purple, and become wrinkled in cold weather. The surface is covered with tiny but formidable prickle-like structures called glochids, gathered in small round tufts, which are very dangerous when handling. Some larger prickles are present, mainly on the periphery of the cladodes. Flowering occurs from May-June to July, varying slightly depending on the region. Several large flowers appear around the edges of the paddles, mainly towards their tips. Resembling rounded cups about 6 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) wide, they are composed of fine, slightly translucent petals. They give way to globose fruits, heavily covered in glochids, which turn bright red when ripe. While they are edible, they are less flavorful than those of the Prickly Pear.

Cultivable in almost all regions, this amazing cactus is hardy down to -20°C without protection, but requires well-drained soil. It naturally enhances exotic or contemporary designs, in rock gardens, on slopes, or at the edges of a dry garden, it can also be used to reinforce a defensive hedge. It will find its place among hardy agaves, Nolinas, and arborescent Euphorbias. Pair it with relatively hardy columnar cacti such as Cleistocactus strausii or Cylindropuntia imbricata. It should be kept away from walkways and children due to its formidable spines.