Blooming Cactus Varieties

Hedgehog Cactus

• The hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii), also known as the strawberry cactus or the purple torch, is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California and southern Utah. It grows in 4- to 12-inch-high grayish-green cylinders, adorned with clusters of long, sharp white needles. From March to June, this cactus produces showy, cup-shaped blossoms ranging in color from deep violet to hot pink. These blossoms bear golden, pollen-rich centers and open during daylight hours.

Fishhook Cactus

• The fishhook cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni), also known as the candy barrel cactus, is another cylindrical, spine-laden, flowering cactus. Its native range extends across west Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. From June until September, this cactus bears clusters of small, orange and yellow flowers whose upward-pointing petals resemble tiny campfires. These blossoms give way to golden fruits that nourish small birds and mammals.

Prickly Pear

• Prickly pear cacti are members of the Opuntia genus. Their green, paddle-shaped sections are edible, as are their fruits and flowers. One species of prickly pear, the desert prickly pear (Opuntia phaeacantha), bears deep golden-yellow flowers from April until July. This attractive cactus grows wild across the Southwest, from the Rocky Mountains to the deserts of northern Mexico. It attracts moths, butterflies and small mammals.

Beehive Cactus

• The beehive cactus (Escobaria vivipara), found in rocky outcroppings throughout the Southwestern deserts, grows in rounded cylinders that are densely covered in formidable white spines. From May to June it produces flowers that last for only one day. These short-lived, star-like beauties range from light to dark pink in color. They have long, thin petals and emit a fragrant perfume.

Saguaro

• The giant saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), native to Arizona and southern California, is an icon of Southwestern desert life. Growing up to 50 feet tall, this tree-like cactus dominates the sparse landscapes where it thrives. In May and June, these statuesque cacti bear pale white and green blossoms that open after sunset. These nocturnal blooms attract the attention of bats, bees and birds. They give way to seeds, which feed the gila woodpeckers, cactus wrens and doves that nest in the giant saguaro.