Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus)

Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus or Needle-Spined Claret Cup (Echinocereus coccineus) is extremely cold hardy and long-lived, this is one of our very best native plants thriving in the most inhospitable of growing conditions. Blooming in mid-spring, this outstanding species has a profusion of scarlet, hummingbird-attracting flowers held over a mound of tight clustering stems. Plant it in well-drained, low fertility soil and give it full sun. Recommended companion plants include Beardtongue (Penstemon), Sundancer Daisy (Hymenoxys) and Black Foot Daisy (Melampodium).