Though it may never make anyone’s list of street trees, this mighty little cholla collected by Tim Hannis, can eventually reach 4-6 ft tall, rounded stem segments, or joints, to 14″ long, with numerous pink-red spines. Striking purple flowers appear in late spring to early summer followed by spineless yellow fruit that is edible. These natives of semi-arid areas of the southwest prefer full sun, good drainage, and only occasional summer water. Frost hardy to -30F, USDA zone 4.

TIM’S PURPLE CHAIN CHOLLA

Cactaceae