Cactus wonderland a hidden gem in SA Riverland | Photos

Located far enough off the road to not bring too much attention are a series of towering cacti that have attracted wedding and baby photoshoots, and a steady stream of curious visitors.

The inconspicuous property is home to the Riverland Cacti and Succulent Garden, ran by plant enthusiast and avid collector Helen Gray.

The property is home to cacti as tall as 40 feet (about 13 metres) and in every shape and style imaginable.

From flowering to fruiting varieties, there is something to attract the eye of any plant lover.

The property also hosts a shade house with smaller cacti and succulents for sale, a stone house full of things from Broken Hill mine drill cores, Andamooka crystals and old bullock shoes (not horseshoes, Helen tuts).

While Helen is getting on in years and not as mobile as she once was, there is still a sparkle in her eye when talking about the thousands upon thousands of cacti and succulents she has carefully nurtured and cared for for five decades.

From the Saguaro made famous by John Wayne movies, the Golden Barrell, the Owl Eye and Montrose Apple, the Christmas, Prickly Pear, Moon and Torch, it is hard to imagine Helen doesn't have it.

While Helen has been living near Loxton for 15 years, her journey as a cacti grower began about five decades ago growing up in the Barossa.

It was a simple beginning for what has turned into a lifelong passion.

"In 1973 I started collecting a few," she said.

"When I was a kid I just happened to spot a yellow-flowering one and thought to myself 'I've got to get that.

'It has just flowed on there and the amount I've got now I can barely keep up with. It's taken a fair while to get it like this."

While the cacti are reasonably easy-care, Helen said some varieties can need the occasional water, while others can fall victim to too much rain.

"A lot of them do well in this climate, they might just need an occasional drink," Helen said.

"I don't have a favourite as such, but will go around saying 'he's nice, he's nice, he's nice, oh I didn't need him'.

"You've got cut some back and take pieces off to stop them spreading too far."

She has bought cacti from all over the country to add to her burgeoning collection, getting many sent through the mail from Qld and NSW.

Some resemble the typical cactus associated with western movies, while others resemble giant, spiky beach balls.

Some provide little purple cactus berries, while others have beautiful red, yellow and white flowers.

While you have to be vigilant while walking through Helen's cacti wonderland to avoid getting spiked, there's even the odd variety that bears no spikes at all.

Some are up to 70 years old.

While the cacti she grows may be prickly, Helen is as warm and welcoming as you could hope for.

Her property is open at "anytime" for people to come and look.

It has hosted wedding and baby photoshoots and Helen says word of mouth is solely responsible for any visitors that come through.

"They're mainly interested in the big cacti and getting their photos taken, but also learn about all the other types you can grow," she said.

Helen says time is the main key to growing a good cactus.

"Once they're big enough, you transfer them from a pot into the ground and give them a drink for a year or so until they set their roots in and then they pretty much look after themselves.