Opuntia basilaris
Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus
Description
This cactus grows to 2' tall and 4' wide. Pads, which resemble Beaver tails, are blue-grey, sometimes with a bit of purple. New pads form on lower areas of the plant.. Flowers are intensely rose purple from spring to early summer. This plant prefers full sun with fast draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established.
Plant Type
Cactus
Height Range
1-3'
Flower Color
Pink, Red
Flower Season
Spring, Summer
Leaf Color
Blue Green, Grey Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
Blue, Green
Fruit Season
Summer, Fall
Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
Slow
Soil Type
Sandy, Loam, Rocky
Soil Condition
Poor, Well-drained, Dry
Soil pH
Neutral, Basic
Adverse Factors
Attracts Bees, Thorns/Spines
Design Styles
Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage, Unusual Shape
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Location Uses
Perennial Border, Raised Planter, With Rocks
Special Uses
Container, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant, Naturalizing
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Water Saving Tip:
Consider replacing some lawn areas with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs.
Good candidates for removal are portions of large lawns, areas where no one uses the grass, patches that don't grow well, or spaces too small to water without overspray.