Cacti and Succulents: Escobaria sneedii var. leei

description for "Cacti and Succulents: Escobaria sneedii var. leei"

Lee's pincushion is a choice, extremely rare miniature cactus. Tragically, it is almost extinct from over-collecting from is limited natural range. Escobaria sneedii var. leei clusters quickly forming a small clump of 20 to 40 tiny pure white stems. As the plant matures, it covers itself with a profusion of salmon-pink flowers that appear in late spring. Lee's pincushion is without a doubt one of the finest western native plants for the rock garden. Plant on a south or west facing slope, wedged between some rocks where it can receive sharp drainage and maximum sunlight. Because this plant needs longer periods of warm weather to establish its roots properly, it is not recommended for fall planting in Zones 3-6. -- edited by dtd pbcouchman

History:

Escobaria sneedii var. leei is native to the Guadalupe mountains of southeastern New Mexico.