Opuntia engelmannii var. alta - Prickly Pear

The Opuntia engelmannii var. alta is a cactus that stands out for its hardiness and beautiful vigor. This plant, which thrives in arid climates, is composed of fleshy, green-gray, oblong "paddles" abundantly covered in formidable golden spines. In spring, delicate silk-like flowers with a beautiful yellow-orange hue bloom on the periphery of these large paddles. This flowering is followed by the formation of red, edible fruits at maturity. Its growth is quite rapid and its cultivation in rocky and well-drained soil poses no problems. Impressive in a minimalist setting, powerfully armed with deterrent spines, spectacular against a backdrop of rocks and blue sky, it naturally structures exotic, contemporary settings and effectively protects the boundaries of a dry garden and wilderness.

The Opuntia engelmannii, a close relative of the Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), is a succulent plant devoid of true leaves belonging to the cactus family. This botanical species is native to arid regions of Texas, USA, where it grows along the Rio Grande River and in the surrounding plains. The Alta variety is named for its larger growth: an adult specimen can reach nearly 2m (7ft) in all directions under favorable conditions. The vegetation is composed of a "trunk" that can reach 40cm (16in) in diameter over time, dividing into flattened, fleshy, oval branches of fairly uniform size called articles or cladodes. Their surface is a slightly glaucous gray-green color and quite smooth. They are abundantly covered in short, yellowish prickles measuring 2-3cm (1in), called glochides, clustered together, which are very dangerous when handled. During the abundant flowering in June, several flowers appear at the ends of the branches, varying in color from lemon yellow to orange, with cups measuring 3-4cm (1-2in) in diameter and centered around a green pistil surrounded by yellow stamens. The flowers give way to fruits with abundant areoles that turn purple at maturity before falling. It is important to note that this plant, when it thrives, can become invasive through certain birds that consume its fruits and scatter the seeds randomly.

Cultivable in almost all regions, this cactus is hardy down to -15°C (5°F) without protection, but in perfectly well-drained, rocky, or sandy soil. It will find its place in a large rock garden, a gravel bed, or at the boundaries of a dry garden, where its somewhat ghostly silhouette will stand out beautifully against a mineral and austere backdrop, populated with some grasses, agaves, Hesperaloe parviflora, and small creeping and hardy prickly pears like Opuntia humifosa. It can be associated with tree-like Euphorbias (Euphorbia mellifera or E. dendroïdes), giant fennel, fairly hardy columnar cacti (Cleistocactus strausii), and large rockroses (Cistus laurifolius), all equally modest and undemanding plants. Planted in a dense hedge, Opuntia Alta will create a first-rate defensive barrier. It should be kept away from pathways and children due to its formidable spines, as well as the transparent, almost invisible bristles that can easily penetrate our skin and are difficult to remove.

Attention, the opuntia may be tough, but its joints are particularly brittle! Has a paddle fallen during transport or handling? Don't worry, this is how this conqueror spreads in nature: each fallen paddle is capable of generating an entire plant! This is a great opportunity to have a new opuntia: simply leave the paddle in the open air for a few days until the tissue heals. Then plant this paddle vertically, burying 1/3 of its surface, in a well-drained pot with a mix of sand and potting soil. Place in the sun, water when you remember, and it will grow effortlessly!