Echinocactus grusonii, the classic "Golden Barrel" is probably one of the most popular landscape cacti there is. It's main native habitat, a few canyons in Queretaro, Mexico, is now covered by a man made lake. It is now nearly extinct in the wild but plentifull in cultivation. E. grusonii is reported to get up to 4 feet high and 3 feet across in habitat. It's bright yellow spines and wooly crown make it a favorite landscape subject, but when small make nice potted plants as well. Some older specimens offset but until very old are usually solitary. In early spring bright yellow flowers adorn the wooly top of the plant once the plant is flowering size, about 15 inches around.
     This plant is reported to be a slow grower but that's not been my experience. I planted this one about ten years ago and it was no bigger than a baseball. Now the term "Beachball" comes to mind! it's 16 inches across. Amazingly enough though, it still hasn't flowered for me. I give it regular water in summer and that keeps it nice and plump. It's planted in plain old desert dirt.

A nice group of 30 inchers at Tucson Botanical Gardens	Another nice group at Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix	Flowers at DBG	Closeup
At B & B Cactus Farm