A varied group of plants, Aloes are grown both for the foliage, for the flowers and some species are grown for medicinal purposes.
The well know ‘Aloe Vera‘, is popular, however for landscaping and garden use other varieties have greater attraction. Some species are grown for the bold architectural foliage. Others for the masses of flowers that appear from spring through to summer.
With many modern hybrids available for sale, these wonderful garden plants are used in landscaping for their foliage as well as the rather spectacular flowers.
You will find large growing species such as A. ferox, and smaller growing varieties such as A. tarrington which is well suited to container growing.
Plants range from small growing varieties to large plants that make a great impact in the garden or when grown in containers or pots.
Hybrids such as ‘Eager Beaver’ produce spectacular flowers, are a great feature plant and are hardy as well.
‘Venus’ is a new release with very attractive flowers, red and white and a good structure.
Aloe Varieties
With over 400 species, from low growing varieties to tree like specimens this is a varied group of plants
- A aristata is a low growing variety (20cm).
- A peacockii has almost triangular leaves, green and white speckled and a real eye catcher.
- A.mitriformis is a creeping variety with good flowers
Basic Aloe Care
Originally from Africa and prefering a position full sun and a well drained soil, most varieties do not tolerate frost, so a pot on a sunny porch or verandah can be an ideal position. A large pot in a sunny position will also suit for cooler climates, moving plants indoors in winter if needed.
They do not require a lot of water except in the main growing period when soil should be kept moist. In the right conditions aloes have fantastic flowers.
Regarded as drought tolerant.
Landscaping Uses
They can be uses as specimen plants in containers or in mass plantings, many of the lower growing species look great planted en masse and taller species can be used to great height.
As these are low maintenance plants they work well in commercial and government plantings, little to no watering, no mowing and attractive to birds when in flower.
Smaller species and trailing types such as A. perfoliata and A. distans are useful for vertical garden installations.
Problems
One of the problems with Aloe plants is long stems that they develop with many gardeners seeing this unattractive these long stems can actually pull the plant over. You may need to re root them to keep them looking the way you want them to.
Aloe plants are available for sale online from the following participating nurseries
Phone: 0411 435 314
Online Retailer of Landscaping Plants, large quantities of small pot sizes up to advanced sizes & plant Sourcing.
SYDNEY | NORTHERN NSW | GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | MELBOURNE | ADELAIDE
www.egardens.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
Specialist succulent grower with a large range of Echeveria and other succulent genera, including rare and unusual varieties for the collector.
Online Retail Sales www.succulents-australia-sales.com
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
17 McCarthy Rd Monbulk, Vic, 3793, Australia
Specialising in propagation and production of over 900 species / varieties of ornamental plants, perennials & rare plants. Supplying nurseries, landscapers & others. Minimum quantities apply! Contact us to discuss plants or growing requirements.
www.devontubestock.com