blooming purple prickly pear cactus Prickly Pear 'Santa Rita' – Native Gardeners

blooming purple prickly pear cactus Prickly Pear 'Santa Rita' – Native GardenersOpuntia violacea santa rita 'Santa Rita' is a delightful blue prickly pear known for its beautiful lemon yellow flowers and striking long black spines. When it experiences a bit of drought or cold, it transforms into a stunning glowing purple. All prickly pears absolutely thrive in hot, dry summers, require very little water, and can tolerate some chill. In the lovely Sonoran desert where it originates, this plant gracefully endures winter frost and

Opuntia violacea santa-rita

'Santa Rita' is a delightful blue prickly pear known for its beautiful lemon-yellow flowers and striking long black spines. When it experiences a bit of drought or cold, it transforms into a stunning glowing purple. All prickly pears absolutely thrive in hot, dry summers, require very little water, and can tolerate some chill. In the lovely Sonoran desert where it originates, this plant gracefully endures winter frost and even the occasional snowfall, making it a hardy choice for zones 8-11.

'Santa Rita' grows at a gentle pace to about 4 feet tall, creating nearly perfect circular shapes. In cooler areas, it does quite well in a spacious container, as long as it gets plenty of sunlight and minimal water. You might see its beautiful violet coloration, though it’s a rare and fleeting sight in regions that experience a lot of rainfall.

Height: 3'-4'
Spread: 4'-6'
Bloom: March-August
Light: Full sun
Water: Low
Zone: 8-11
Origin: Texas, Mexico