Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, Beautiful yellow and red flowering cacti for the eastern U.S. Winter hardy all the way to Ontario!! 3 BR Pads

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is found in the eastern third of the U.S. from the Gulf Coast all the way to Ontario in southern Canada! While many cacti are cold tolerant, most don't make it through our eastern winters due to the wet soil. This beauty does, and in late spring the yellow and red flowers are drop-dead gorgeous! Later in the season, the blooms are replaced by the showy red seed pods, or 'pears', which are edible, though I've not tried them yet. Of course, like most cacti, the pads are covered in sharp spines so its not recommended you sit on them! Fun fact: cactus spines are modified leaves!

In Autumn as the air cools and winter approaches, these highly adaptable cacti stop taking up water and slim down somewhat so as to avoid freeze damage, a unique adaptation to this eastern species of the larger Prickly Pear genus of plants, Opuntia. (This species was originally thought to be a variety of O. humifosa, a more eastern species, however, it is now classified as O. cespitosa.) Another unique feature to this species is there growth pattern is rarely over two pads tall, but they spread out along the ground. This makes them a useful choice for areas where foot traffic from humans and other critters needs to be deterred!

In the wild, Eastern Prickly Pear can be found in dry, open areas such as outcrops, glades, and barrens, but it is quite adaptable to average garden conditions, however, it should have good drainage. Full to part sun is preferred. Just drop the pads on a weed-free area of the garden and let it grow, no planting required!! Hardiness Zones 4-9

This offer is for three (3) unrooted Prickly Pear pads (Opuntia cespitosa). I will clip the spines off prior to shipping, however, care should be taken in handling. Use heavy gloves and / or tongs. (Just drop the pads on a weed-free area of the garden and let it grow. You can also bury the lower third of the pad in soil.)