Hedgehogs

“King Cup Orange” Echinocereus triglochidiatus

This variation has more orange in the flower color. Will form new growing heads as it ages forming large clumps. New spines display darkly as older spines turn more grayish white. Zone 5-7

“Scarlet Hedgehog” Echinocereus coccineus

Red to reddish-orange blossoms on a shaggy spined plant are showy as blooms stay open for nearly a week before closing. Single stem plants quickly mound with new growing heads. Will shrink back in winter but quickly plump up again in the spring. Zone 5-7

“Mojave Mound” Echinocereus mojavensis

Mojave Claret Cup Cactus is another great cactus for a cold garden. Beautiful scarlet cup-shaped flowers open and stay open for approximately 7 days before closing. Over time new stems keep forming making it mound upward. This form is more tolerant of wet conditions. Can reach nearly 3-4 feet across. Zone 5-7

“Spineless Claret Cup” Echinocereus triglochidiatus v. inermis

Nearly spineless 3-6″ stems forming large mounds. Scarlet flowers erupt on stem edges staying open nearly 7 days before closing. Originally from Delta, Colorado at 6000 ft elevation. Zone 5-7

“Claret Cup” Echinocereus triglochidiatus (Standard Form)

One of the most attractive hedgehog cacti is the Claret Cup which grows in clumps from a central stem. The robust, stoutly-spined stems are topped with glowing red-orange flowers in late spring. 15″ tall X 24″ wide. Zone 5-7

“White Sands” Echinocereus triglochidiatus X ‘white sands‘

Without a doubt the fastest, largest, and most spectacular of the claret cup family. The robust, stoutly-spined stems are topped with glowing scarlet flowers in late spring growing to a height of 2-3′ under favorable conditions. Plants put out new growing heads often forming large clumps. Zone 5-7

“Lace Hedgehog” Echinocereus reichenbachii v. albispinus

Rarely gets taller than 8″ but will clump nicely. Soft lavendar flowers nearly obscure plant when blooming. Stems densely covered in pure white spines. Originally from Oklahoma. Zone 5-7

“Purple Torch” Echinocereus reichenbachii

Echinocereus reichenbachii or Purple Torch Cactus is sometimes divided into several subspecies or varieties. This has proven to be one of the most cold hardy species of cactus taking -22. These plants pull themselves down and make a very small profile in winter time. 8″ tall plants will be 3″ tall in winter, which is just impressive.. Zone 5-7

“Engelmann Hedgehog” Echinocereus engelmannii

Large, showy flowers in a range of colors from magenta, purple, dark lavender, or lighter pink erupt almost simultaneously.  Stiff spines also come in a variety of colors from almost entirely white, to straw colored, to pure yellow or multicolored nearly obscuring the stems.  Starts as a solitary stem and forms up to 70 growing heads over time.  Appreciates very little water and rocky soil with good drainage.  24” tall X 30” wide.  Zone 5-8

“Robust Hedgehog” Echinocereus engelmannii subs. fasciculatus

Attractive multi-stemmed plant with multicolored spines both short and long. Flowers of rich magenta. Originally found in southeastern Arizona and into southwest New Mexico. Zone 5-7

“Strawberry Hedgehog” Echinocereus engelmannii subs. stramineus

Can form mounds with 100 or more stems up to 3′ across. Dense multicolored shaggy spines show off deep pinkish-purple blossoms. Red fruits in fall taste like strawberries. Originally found in the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico and the Big Bend area of west Texas. Zone 5-8

“Pink Dreams” Echinocereus X roetteri hybrid

Echinocereus x roetteri is a natural occuring hybrid between Echinocereus coccineus ssp. rosei and Echinocereus dasyacantha. Stems can get 24″ tall and usually clump out to 30″ wide. Plants have taken -22F but should really be given good drainage to make work in a cold garden. Zone 5-7

“Green Pitaya” Echinocereus viridiflorus

These plants tend to clump with age but are generally small stemmed plants hiding in grasses. The plants get green flowers that smell like lemons or citrus. A small flowered hedgehog that only grows upward of 4 inches tall and can clump. In winter, it will loose height only to plump up and fill out the next spring. Perfect for small rock gardens or crevice plantings. Zone 5-7

“Beehive” Escobaria vivipara

This cactus is known to grow as far north as Edmonton, Alberta Canada!    One tough little cactus taking cold and snow without pause.  Single globes quickly offshoot with more forming clumps sometimes on top of one another.  Another plus is the multiple bloom cycles producing beautiful light purple flowers. It appreciates afternoon shade.  Works well in smaller rock gardens or crevice planting.  This clump measures 4” high X 10” wide in our garden.     Zone 3-7

“Beehive” Escobaria vivipara

The Missouri Foxtail is named after the Missouri territory in the 1800s. In general this species grows from Canada to Mexico and from Texas to Arizona. This species is one of the most cold hardy species of cactus.  These plants are squat plants that can get many offsets and get quite large. They often retract in winter to be almost flush with the ground but quickly rebound and plump up in the spring.  Bright yellow flowers will fade to oranges or peaches.  Red fruits add to the interest.  Zone 4-7