The prickly pear family was once a staple of the Native American diet and lifestyle. It was used as a food source, for medicine, for building, and much more. Black-spine prickly pear is no exception to the usefulness of the rest of the family, but also makes an eye-catching accent in a cactus garden or landscape.
It is a low-growing cactus, not exceeding more than three or four feet in height, and spreading in clumps up to four feet. Yellow blossoms with red centers cover this prickly beauty in the springtime. Fruit follows flowering, which many birds and wildlife are fond of. Plant Black-Spine prickly pear with other colorful desert perennials like penstemon, angelita daisy, or globe mallow for color that will make a statement.
Height: 3 – 4 feet
Width: 3 – 4 feet
Bloom color: Bicolor; Red and Yellow
Flowering season: Spring
USDA minimum zone: 8
Cold hardiness: 10° F
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