Cane Cholla Cactus 'AZ' (C. spinosior) - COLD HARDY

Cane Cholla Cactus 'Oro Valley'

Cylindropuntia spinosior x

Live Cuttings (4"-6" stems) and Small Plants (3" pots) - Cold Hardy -15F!



Cylindropuntia 'Oro Valley' (spinosior x) is a hybrid cane cholla cactus growing in the high desert region outside of Tucson, AZ, near the Catalina Mountains. It is a unique hybrid that we think is a cross of spinosior (perhaps with imbricata), it has a very upright growth habit, and can reach 6-9 feet or more high, with many 3 to 6 inch stems branching from a woody central trunk, though the plant also has a low growth variant, found in less favorable environments, where the stems are shorter, stay close to the ground and may have fewer spines. Stems are bright green or sometimes purplish green, bearing distinct tubercles and clusters of spines.

This hybrid cholla is very frost tolerant, found at higher elevations (6,000 feet) and further north than other species. It most closely resembles spinosior but produces different flower colors and grows slightly different resembling Tree Cholla (imbricata). Another difference is the bright hot pink (nearly purple) flowers that tend to bloom pretty much year round with enough irrigation (in warm weather). These plants have been growing in our cold high desert climate for many years on our personal property near Bend, Oregon and have seen temperatures well below -10F!! Very hardy and easy to grow, moderate to fast growers, you will have a full plant in just two or three seasons!

Cane Cholla Cactus is well adapted to hot climate locations where it thrives in sun and with normal winter snow and rainfall, lower amounts of summer water. When it matures, it is a colorful flowering accent shrub for courtyard and southwestern plantings due to its large bright flowers. Monthly deep watering from spring through fall will enhance its spring flowering cycle and help maintain good character.