HARDY CACTI
All cacti listed here will appreciate good drainage and even gritty or gravelly soil in climates with wet winters. In drier, desert climates they can be grown on a wider range of soils. Cacti will respond to watering and feeding during their active growth period in late spring or early summer. Choose from among the following exciting plants to add to your succulent or rock garden!

Mail Order Catalog | Home | Back
 
Opuntia columbiana [Hells Canyon] SBH####
NEW Spring 2010!
$12
Selected for its exceptional vigor and ease of growth, this large, sprawling, ground-covering cactus is one of many fabulous forms from the extremely rugged and remote country of the Hells Canyon area in Wallowa County, Oregon. Although it may eventually spread to 6' across, it is easily kept under control by removing pads if desired. In late spring it produces masses of showy yellow flowers. Full sun and splendid drainage will suit it best. Thanks to Sean Hogan at Cistus Nursery for sharing this from his legendary collection of exciting plants. Hardy to at least -30°F
Opuntia columbiana [Snake River small pads] IB72
NEW Spring 2010!
$12
This collection from Whitman Co, Washington is one of many wonderful forms of native cacti found in our state. This one has exceptionally dense spination and is more compact in its habit than nearby forms, though still spreading out to 3' or so with a great many pads. Yellow flowers can be expected on established plants. Hardy to at least -30°F.
 
Opuntia fragilis - BRITTLE PRICKLY-PEAR
NEW Spring 2010!
$8
This Opuntia very fragilis, in fact, it has got to be the fragilis Opuntia ever. It's as fragilis anything. But it's still an appealing and very special cactus. It's as cute as a really spiny button, with its round little pads and spines ranging in color from fiery orange to white. Big yellow flowers are sometimes seen in late spring. The pads detach easily from one another, which is an important part of the way this species distributes itself. In fact, it is native over a very large area of the West, and it's very hardy, some forms tolerating -30°F or below. Order one now and don't break it!
Opuntia fragilis IB77 [Sequim] - BRITTLE PRICKLY-PEAR
$12
The only cactus native to western Washington, this diminutive cactus has appeal as more than just a curiosity. It forms an attractive low mound of rounded spiny pads It looks great in a rock garden or cactus garden or as a small-scale groundcover in gravelly or sandy areas. It will appreciate full sun and a space free of competition from other plants. It should be propagated and cultivated more, as a number of factors seem to be hastening its demise in the wild. Hardy to at least -20°F, perhaps much lower.
Opuntia fragilis [Whidbey Island] - BRITTLE PRICKLY-PEAR
NEW Spring 2010!
$12
This collection of O. fragilis comes from Whidbey Island, where it is now reduced to one very small population in the wild. Features and care as for the Sequim form of O. fragilis. Hardy to at least -20°F.
Oreocereus celsianus - OLD MAN CACTUS
$9
Here's one of those annoying plants that can live through amazing extremes of cold if it is kept dry, but still doesn't seem to grow outside in the Pacific Northwest without a lot of help. Beginning as a column of white hair with spines sticking out (it's pretty cool even when little), it may eventually offset to form large clumps. Native to the highlands of Bolivia, it may endure temperatures down to about 5°F if kept COMPLETELY dry. The wetter your winters are, the less frost is tolerated. Some summer water is appreciated.