OcotilloOcotilloThis dramatic deciduous plant grows slowly to 12, sometimes 18 feet. A few to several woody, thorny, mostly unbranched canes rise upward and outward from its base. May reach a diameter of ten feet after several years.
Hardy to about 5F.
Irrigate newly set-out bare root plants weekly until established. Later, allow soil to dry out in between. Supplemental water is needed only in dry years or where rainfall is under six or seven inches annually. Constant or regular irrigation may kill plants. They also absorb water through the whips, so a light spray will encourage green leaves.
Full to reflected sun.
Rocky soil with good drainage.
None.
Subject to rust or powdery mildew.
BloomSpiky, flame-like clusters of red tubular flowers from new growth develop at cane tips from April to July and remain several weeks before plant goes dormant.
Dramatic silhouette. Living fence.
Native to the U.S. southwest and northern Mexico. Member of the Fouquieriaceae family.
Native, Desert Grassland, Desert, Desert Transitional, Bird.