Cholla

“Anasazi Cholla” Cylindropuntia X anasaziensis Piedra form

Associated with Anasazi sites in the 4-Corners area, this plant’s blossoms of coral-pink bloom more aggresively than any other speciies of cholla. 4 feet tall X 3 feet wide. Zone 4-8

“Buckhorn Cholla” Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

Beautiful golden flowers with red anthers. Flowers fade to more coppery color as they age. Plant can attain 3-6′ tall and becomes shrubby with multiple jointed, cylindrical stems. Fruits start green becoming yellow and completely dry at maturity. Zone 6-9

“Cane Cholla” Cylindropuntia imbricata ssp. spinosior

This is considered the haridest form of spinosior. Sheathed in uniform white spines, this cholla is beautiful in both form and flower. Flowers of rose-pink erupt near segments’ ends and scan appear waxy in sunlight. Ripe fruit appears bright yellow. Discovered by Dr. Allan Taylor on Cook’s Peak, NM. Grows up to 7000′ in elevation. 3-4′ tall X 3-4′ wide. Zone 6-8

“Chartreuse” Cylindropuntia whipplei

The most green flowers I’ve seen on a Whipple’s Cholla. Bushy or smaller shrub like growth with long white spines. Overall plant height of less than 3′ tall. Originally from extreme northern Arizona. Prolific grower and bloomer. Zone 5-8

“Christmas Cholla” Cylindropuntia leptocaulis

Christmas cholla gets its name from the abundant red fruit left on the plant after blooming. Very thin, twiggy stems in a mass on one inch long spines. Dainty pale yellow flowers. 2-4 feet tall and wide. This form is from far north in Quay Co NM. Zone 5-8

“Colorado Pink” Cylindropuntia imbricata

Colorado tree cholla is the most iconic found in Colorado. Typically reaching a height of 4′ and producing beautiful dark pink blossoms. Fruit, when ripe, turns bright yellow. zone 5-7

“Colorado Snow” Cylindropuntia imbricata v arborescens

Dark green stems show off crisp white blossoms with green tinted centers.  Originally from Phantom Canyon Colorado.  Growth habit 60’ high X 72” wide. Zone 5-8

“Diamond Cholla” Cylindropuntia ramosissima

Small shrubby bush with many jointed thin stem segments reaching 2-4′ in height. The pattern on the stem display the distinctive diamond shape giving it its name. Spines are long and golden. Flowers are dusty pink with reddish centers. Dry fruit resemble burrs with white spines. Zone 6-9

“Don’s Cholla” Cylindropuntia imbricata

Produces lighter pink flowers than most tree chollas. Prolific bloomer with extremely thick stalks. This plant is know to grow 6 ft tall X 5 feet widew. Zone 5-8

“Durango” Cylindropuntia imbricata ssp spinitecta

This Colorado tree cholla forms a taller shrub over time up to 4-5′ in height. Thick stalks are heavily spined and produce vivid magenta flowers. Does droop stem segments in winter and may turn slightly purplish. Yellow fruit when mature. Originally from southern Colorado. Zone 5-8

“Golden Cholla” Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

Golden tinged spines nearly obscure stems. Thick stalked and rapid growth make this a particularly beautiful specimen in the garden. Abundant nearly 2″ flowers open more greenish-yellow with red edges fading more golden yellow as they age. Originally from high elevation in Nevada. Zone 5-7

“Golden Christmas” Cylindropuntia kleiniae X leptocaulis

Long shimmering golden spines adorn this thin-stemmed cholla. Dainty flowers with hints of pale yellow turning a subtle pink as it ages. Stems are not brittle like other leptocaulis types. Vigarous grower. Growth habit 48 inches tall X 48 inches wide. Zone 5-8

“Kimber-Pink” Cylindropuntia imbricata

Long white spines sit atop deep green stems. Bright pink flowers that are a bit more cup shaped than other imbricatas. Rapid growth. Growth habit 60 inches tall X 60 inches wide. Zone 5-8

“Morning Shimmer” Cylindropuntia kleiniae hybrid

Pencil thick stems are adorned with coppery-white spines that sparkle in the sunlight. Pale peachy-yellow flowers are an added delight. Vigorous grower.. Growth habit 48 inches tall X 40 inches wide. Zone 5-8

“Pencil Cholla” Opuntia kleiniae

Shrubby growth habit upwards of 5′ makes quite a large bush. Thin dark green stem segments stay upright and green during winter months. Miniature rose-pink flowers become prolific on larger plants. Fruit matures when reddish in color. Zone 5-7

“Purple Haze” Opuntia imbricata

Thick stems that are bright green in summer more reddish-purple in winter. Extra large purple-tinged flowers that tend to open up wider than most chollas. Fruit matures to yellow in color. Zone 5-8

“Pink Passion” Cylindropuntia imbricata

Bright 2″ pink blossoms erupt abundantly on this beauty. Thick stalks grow rapidly to form a rather large shrub up to 3′ in height. Yellow fruit in the fall. Zone 5-7

“Rio Arriba Giant” Cylindropuntia imbricata v. arborescens

Short spines on extra thick stem segments forming large open branching scrubs. Flowers have a more purple tinge. Orgianlly from Rio Arriba County New Mexico at 7000 Ft elevation. Rapid growth and abundant flowers. 60″ tall X 60″ wide. Yellow fruit in the fall. Zone 5-8

“Rose Blush” Cylindropuntia imbricata

Striking rosy pink flowers on very thick stalks. Easily reaches 5-6 feet tall X 6 Feet wide. Robust grower. Yellow fruit in the fall. Zone 5-8

“Santa Fe Cholla” Cylindropuntia imbricata v. viridiflora

Densely branched shrub with brilliant light peachy-orange flowers. Originates specifically in Santa Fe Co., NM. Rapid growth to 3′ in height. Zone 5-8

“Sherry” Cylindropuntia Imbricata

Extra thick stalked sporting rich magenta-crimson flowers which appear waxy. Prolific bloomer. Fruits, when mature, will be yellow. Can reach upwards of 6′ tall. Originally from the Santa Rita mountains in southern Arizona. Zone 5-8

“Silver Fox” Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

Gorgeous long white spines making it appear as a tail on a fox make this a crowd pleaser in the garden. Brilliant yellow flowers are plentiful in the summer. Stem segments will droop somewhat in winter. Zone 5-8

“Smith Rock Tree Cholla” Cylindropuntia imbricata

Tall growing to 6′ in height. Extra thick dark green stalk produces prolific lighter magenta flowers. Fruit ripens to a bright yellow . Originally from high elevation in Nevada. Parent plant has been growing successfully for over 40 years here in Central Oregon. Zone 5-7

“Texas Giant” Cylindropuntia imbricata v. arborescens

Tall growing to 5-6′ in height. Extra long segments of thick stalks offer few spines. Flowers of bright magenta. Fruit ripens to a bright yellow . Zone 5-7

“Whipple NM Cholla” Cylindropuntia whipplei

Absolutely beautiful shrub for the garden with its white glimmering spines. Vibrant yellow blossoms followed by yellow fruit in the fall. Stalks will turn purple in the winter months along with some segment droopiness. Originally from northern New Mexico. Zone 5-8

“Yavapai White” Cylindropuntia whipplei

Densely branched low to medium buses. Defined shorter white spines with yellow-green flowers. Fruits appear green eventually turning yellow in second year if not removed. Originally from Yavapai Co., Arizona Zone 5-8