OUT OF STOCK
Ships in SPRING

Southwest Native Cacti Collection

$79.99
$79.99 $0.00
per Collection of 4
Sale |

• Our Southwest Native Cacti Collection features four cold hardy Echinocereus varieties found in the desert regions of Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico
• Plant these incredible wildflowers to enrich your xeriscapes with brilliant pollinator-friendly flowers, sculptural stems, and ornamental spination
• Specimens were sustainably collected by Jeff Thompson and propagated by Tim Hanis
• Exclusively available from High Country Gardens
• Order early – there are very limited quantities of this collection!

Videos
 

Southwest Native Cacti Collection

We'll let you know when the product is back in stock so you don't miss it.

By submitting your email, you agree to receive notifications according to our Privacy Policy.

Product Recommendations

Description

Order our limited edition Southwest Native Cacti Collection to experiment with these desert gems in your yard! The desert Southwest is rich with cold-hardy cacti species, having more species than almost any place in the Western Hemisphere. Not only do cold-hardy cacti bring a fascinating botanical element to your xeric garden, but they provide important nectar sources for pollinating insects early in the spring before other plants bloom. Take the time to observe your cacti in flower and you will see the flowers alive with all types, sizes, and colors of native bees and tiny pollinating wasps.

The original seeds for these cacti were gathered by Jeff Thompson, a friend of David Salman’s. They were cultivated by Tim Hanis, a renowned seed collector specializing in unique and rare cacti, succulents, and perennials. Tim began growing western native plants in the mid-1990s and started collecting seeds for High Country Gardens in the early 2000s. Tim has spent years sustainably propagating and growing the cacti in this collection.

Name Collection Details Description Form
Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. baileyi Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. baileyi
(Oklahoma Hedgehog Cactus)		 Comanche County, Oklahoma
Jeff Thompson
JRT 223		 Zone 5 -Shaggy dark to lighter colored spines, with large pink fragrant flowers in May and June. This is a very ornamental subspecies that is VERY hardy. H: 6-8" tall
W: 3" wide stem
Clumper
Echinocereus mojavensis f. inermis x 'Mainly Spines' Echinocereus mojavensis f. inermis x 'Mainly Spineless'
(Mojave Hedgehog Cactus)		 La Sal Mountains, Utah Zone 5 - Semi clumping larger stems ranging from almost spineless, to covered. Beautiful orange to red trumpet flowers in early spring. H: 4-6" tall
W: 3" wide stem
Semi-clumper
Echinocereus triglochidiatus Echinocereus triglochidiatus
(Claret Cup Cactus)		 San Miguel County, New Mexico
Jeff Thompson
JRT 572		 Zone 4- Semi-clumping stems with lighter to darker spines. Nice scarlet trumpet flowers in spring. H: 15" tall
W: 4" wide stem
Semi-clumper
Echinocereus triglochidiatus Echinocereus triglochidiatus
(Claret Cup Cactus)		 Almogordo County, New Mexico
Jeff Thompson
JRT 571		 Zone 5 - Giant semi-clumping stems, ranging with shorter, to longer spine type. Nice reddish to more orange trumpet flowers in mid spring. H: 24" tall
W: 6" wide stem

Planting & Care

Tips for Growing Cacti and Succulents

Cacti shipped early in the spring may be dormant. As the weather warms, these cacti will expand and green-up. Remember, after an initial watering to settle the soil around the roots, no further water should be applied until the weather warms up. If plants are dormant and the spring weather is rainy, protect the plants from too much moisture by covering them with a gallon plastic milk container with the bottom cut out. Leave the top off the jug so heat build up isn’t excessive in sunny weather.

Soil Preparation

All the species of hardy cacti and succulents require fast-draining soil.

Planting in the ground

Put the plants on a slope or raised area of the garden, not in a low spot which collects water. Select a bed with full sun exposure, preferably next to a south or west facing wall. These areas will provide extra winter warmth. In heavy clay soils, it is essential to replace half or more of the soil from a 10”x 10” or larger hole with coarse sand and gravel mixed thoroughly with the remaining soil to ensure adequate drainage. No compost should be added, only a small handful of Planters II and Yum Yum Mix®.

Planting in an outdoor pot or planter

Use a planting mix of 3 parts garden soil + 2 parts coarse sand + 2 parts coarse perlite (or similar material). When growing plants indoors in pots, use a good quality potting
soil to mix with the sand, and expanded shale instead of garden soil.

Planting Instructions

1. Cacti, agaves, and tap-rooted succulents (Aloinopsis, Titanopsis, Nananthus) should be transplanted bare-root. Let the soil in the pot dry out for a few days. Then remove the pot and gently loosen the soil so it falls away from the roots. Trim off any broken roots. Bare root plants should then be planted into a shallow hole. Spread out the roots evenly and sprinkle the soil into the hole until full. The base of the plant should rest on top of the soil. Mulch with a 1⁄2”-1” thick layer of pea-sized gravel around the base of the plant to protect it from contact with soggy soil over the winter months. (See planting diagram on page 12 of our Planting Guide.)

2. Succulents with fibrous roots (Ruschia, Delosperma, Sedum, and others) need not be transplanted bare-root, instead, the root ball should be scored and roughed out like
other perennials.

Watering

1. Bare-root cacti and tap-rooted succulents must not be watered right away, but should sit dry for a day or two to allow the roots to callus over any broken or damaged
areas. Other succulents can be watered in right away. Water thoroughly with a mixture of SeaCom-PGR and Superthrive to stimulate strong new root growth. Water again with this mixture two weeks later.

2. Outdoor beds with new plants should be initially watered once every 5 to 7 days for the first month or so after transplanting. Cacti and succulents enjoy regular watering
during the heat of the summer and will grow vigorously. After the first year, most cacti species need a good soaking only once every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer if there has been no rain.

3. Potted plants require more frequent, regular watering, especially if the weather is hot and dry.

4. To prepare cacti and succulents for the approach of winter, begin withholding water in the fall so the plants can begin to dehydrate and shrivel. Plump, well watered plants are ripe for cold damage when temperatures plunge in late fall/early winter.

Fertilizing

Cacti and succulents are very modest in their fertilizer requirements. When planted in the ground, fertilizing in spring with SeaCom-PGR and Yum Yum Mix® will encourage plentiful flowers and good stem growth. When planted in pots, remember to feed monthly with the same mixture as above, beginning in late summer.

Winter Protection

Garden plants: Many cacti and succulents are quite cold hardy if kept dry in the cold winter and spring months. In areas that receive a lot of winter and spring moisture
(especially rain), it is strongly recommended that plants be protected from cold, wet soil conditions. For example, a temporary cold frame can be constructed using pipe or
PVC hoops covered with a clear plastic sheet to cover the entire bed. Or individual plants can be covered with plastic gallon milk jugs with the bottom cut out to keep
the ground around the plants dry. Leave the top off the jug so heat build up isn’t excessive in sunny weather. Problems will occur if plants are in wet soil all winter or
sit under melting snow for extended periods.

Potted plants: Should be moved under a roof overhang on the south or west side of the house or placed in a well ventilated cold frame. Water pots and other containers lightly a few times over the winter during warm spells.

All our cacti, agaves and succulents are seed-grown or cutting-grown in our greenhouses. Cacti and agave plants are 2-4 years old; succulents are 1-2 years old. Please, never collect cacti from the wild unless it’s to rescue plants from construction sites. Many species are close to extinction in their native habitats due to irresponsible collectors.

Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

View

key features

Advantages
  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Beneficial Insects
  • Native
  • Evergreen
  • Container Planting
  • Small Spaces
  • Rock Gardens
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant
Tolerates
  • Occasional Drought
  • High Altitude
  • Low Fertility
Light Requirements
  • Full Sun
Bloom Time
Early spring to early summer

Additional information

Soil Moisture
  • Waterwise
  • Very Waterwise
Soil Type
  • Well-Drained Soil
Mature Height
Heights vary from 4-24" tall
Hardiness Zone
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10
Ideal Region
  • Pacific Northwest
  • Southwest
  • West
Native To
Oklahoma, Utah, New Mexico
Special Groups
  • High Country Gardens Exclusive
Neonicotinoid Free
Yes
Non-GMO
No
Ships As
Potted Plant
Expand For More