Beavertail pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
- Cactaceae
- Dicot
- Perennial
- Tree, Shrub
About Beavertail pricklypear
Beavertail pricklypear is a real gem for desert gardens. This native shrub puts on a spectacular spring show with vibrant magenta flowers that hummingbirds and bees absolutely love. The flat, velvety pads are beautiful year-round, and they're completely spineless, which makes this cactus extra friendly for family gardens. Birds feast on the fruit, and the whole plant brings desert wildlife right to your yard while needing almost no fuss from you.
Growing this native is wonderfully simple. Plant it where it gets plenty of sunshine and let the desert rains do most of the work. It thrives on neglect, really. Well-draining soil is all it needs, and you can go weeks without watering once it's established. This is a perennial that keeps coming back stronger each year, rewarding you with less work, not more. You'll love having this beauty in your garden.