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Opuntia aurea 'Coombes Winter Glow'

Also Known As

Coombes Winter Glow Prickly Pear
Creeping Beavertail Cactus

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 2'
W: 3'

planting zones

4a-10b

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Opuntia aurea 'Coombes Winter Glow' plant details

Opuntia aurea 'Coombes Winter Glow' is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue and green foliage. In summer red flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Grows well with sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in gritty, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia aurea 'Coombes Winter Glow'

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 3 FT wide, 2 FT tall
Flowers: red blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, rare, rock garden, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia aurea 'Coombes Winter Glow'

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Opuntia aurea 'Coombes Winter Glow' is a wonderful, spineless Prickly Pear, well almost spineless, with a few small spines along the topmost edges of its beavertail-like pads. What's also really cool about this cactus is its all-season interest. Late spring sees large, bright fuchsia-coloured flowers emerge that are delicately ruffled with yellow centres up to 4 inches wide. The green pads turn deep purple in winter. Cold hardy to -28 C. Its growth habit can reach up to 24 inches tall with a spread of 48 inches. Plant in full sun with sharp drainage. Use in alpine and rock gardens. Suitable for xeriscaping.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Old opuntia selection that is very hardy but, for unknown reasons, now much harder to find. We like it for the unassuming green pads that turn dark red-purple to nearly black in cold weather. To 2' tall and up to 3' wide with cerise flowers appearing in June. Tough and easy in lean, well-drained soil with lots of sun and little summer water. Frost hardy in USDA zone 4.