Cylindropuntia Species, Branched Pencil Cholla, Diamond Cholla, Diamond Plated Pencil Cholla

This gorgeous species of Cholla is being grown in pretty large numbers at Red Butte Gardens here in Salt Lake City, Utah (zone 7b). They ...Read Morehave many specimens in the water conservation garden (along with many other species of cacti, yuccas, agaves, hesperaloes, and nolinas). It says on their plant collection list they were planted more than 10 years ago so they are definitely hardy to at least zone 7b, or 5F - 10F. I have also seen a very large specimen at a residential garden in Spanish Fork, Utah literally in the middle of their yard. This species of cholla is extremely beautiful, and seems to have two different growth forms. One that is much more attractive (in my opinion) and almost completely spineless and thicker. The other one is skinnier and has gnarly large toothpick like spines. This species definitely gets more beautiful with age and maturity.

I've seen this growing in the wild on the 'El Camino Del Diablo Trail' (Devils' Highway) that runs between Ajo and Wellton, Arizona in th...Read Moree Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.