Feature Story
Landscape AlterNATIVEs: A Guide to Native Landscape Plants: PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS (Opuntia humifusa) by Steven Yergeau, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent - Ocean & Atlantic Counties
N
ative plants are a good way to incorporate sustainable vegetation into yards for clients who are environmentally minded. Native plants are adapted to local climate and soil conditions, requiring less water, fertilizers, and pesticides than non-native vegetation. For landscapers who have property owners looking for native alternatives to non-native vegetation, this column provides options to meet your client’s needs. Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is a unique groundcover that can grow up to 2 feet high with a spread of several feet at maturity (Photo 1). It gets its name from the spines that dot the surface of its wide flat stems. These stems, called pads, contain clusters of spines which provide protection from grazing animals. One maintenance issue is the difficulty in removing weeds from between these spiny pads. Photo 2: Close up of a prickly pear cactus flower (Credit: Steve Yergeau). A native succulent, prickly pear is an unusual plant to find in New Jersey as it has reasons, prickly pear cactus is a good choice for groundcover specific growing requirements. Prickly pear cactus does best in many beachside or seaside areas. in well-drained, sandy soils that are slightly acidic (pH = The prickly pear cactus makes a great ornamental plant, 6.2-6.5). It is salt tolerant and grows well in open areas with especially in the summer when its showy yellow flowers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade (Photo 1). For these appear (Photo 2). These blooms appear in June to July and only last for a few days. Also, in June and July it can produce a bright red fruit that is edible if the plant has been grown without any pesticides or herbicides. The fruit is tart and is most often made into a jam or jelly. Prickly pear cactus is a good choice in xeriscaping (landscaping for low to no water usage) and to replace many non-native succulents, like sedum (Sedum species). You can find nurseries in New Jersey that sell native plants by visiting the Jersey-Friendly Yards website at http://www.jerseyyards.org/jerseyfriendly-plants/where-to-buy-native-plants/. Steven Yergeau, Ph.D. is the Dept. Head and Agricultural Agent for Rutgers Co-operative Extension of Ocean County. He is also Assistant Professor for Ocean & Atlantic Counties. For more info visit http://ocean.njaes.rutgers.edu. Photo 1: Prickly pear cactus in mid-summer growing in a yard in Ocean County (Credit: Steve Yergeau).
12 FALL | 2020
