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    • Photo of Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black' by plant lust

    Photo by plant lust

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black'

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent, groundcover

    size

    • H: 4"-6"
    • W: 18"-36"

    planting zones

    • 3a-10b

    More Options

    Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black' plant details

    Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black' is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer yellow flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black'

    Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 18 IN - 36 IN - wide, 4 IN - 6 IN - tall
    Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, showy spines, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black'

    USDA Zones: 3a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Very nice version of our native Opuntia, this with striking red and black spines growing to 4-6" tall by 3 ft wide and showing off yellow flowers in late spring. Handsome in the sunny well-drained garden, with occasional, monsoon-like summer water for best appearance. Frost hardy in USDA zone 3.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black' plant

    How to Grow Opuntia fragilis 'Red N Black'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Opuntia for your garden

    Opuntia cyclodes

    aka Opuntia cycloides, Prickly Pear Cactus

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 6'-10'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Opuntia cyclodes form by plant lust
    View Plant

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    Opuntia phaeacantha

    aka Prickly Pear

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 1'-3'

    Width: 3'-8'

    • sun - bright shade
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Opuntia phaeacantha flower, form by Panayoti Kelaidis
    View Plant

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    Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii

    aka Opuntia potsii var. montana, Opuntia pottsii, Opuntia pottsii var. montana, Prickly Pear Cactus

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    4a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4"-15"

    Width: 20"-30"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii by plant lust
    View Plant

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    Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri

    aka Opuntia subarmata, Prickly Pear Cactus

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-6'

    Width: 5'-8'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri flower, foliage by Patricia Cunningham
    View Plant

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    Opuntia basilaris

    aka Beavertail Cactus

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 1'-2'

    Width: 3'-4'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Opuntia basilaris flower, form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    More Options

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