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. This one is released by ‘Aloe Aloe’ who have a great collection of hybrids.
Aloe ‘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).
Aloe Tarrington - A peacockii has almost triangular leaves, green and white speckled and a real eye catcher.
- A juvenna is an interesting species, but difficult to find.
- A cameronii or ‘Cameron’s Aloe’ is originally from Zimbabwe and very popular as a landscaping feature, low spreading coppery branches and fantastic orange to red flowers during winter.
- A. Ferox is a tree aloe growing to 5m.
- A. arborescens will spread to 2m, long lasting orange flowers during winter make it a favourite.
- A. vera or the ‘medicine plant’
- A.mitriformis is a creeping variety with good flowers
Basic Aloe Care
Originally from Africa and prefer 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.
Regarded as drought tolerant aloes do not require a lot of water except in the main growing period when soil should be kept moist.
Aloe uses and Flower Facts
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.
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
Succulent nursery for drought hardy plants. Includes: Adenium, Agave, Alluadia, Aloe, Anecampseros, Crassula, Euphorbia, Gasteraloe, Haworthia, Kalanchoe, Ledebouria, Portulacaria, Sedum, Senecio and many others.
www.choicesucculents.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
395 Lesters Rd Ascot VIC 3364 - phone (03) 53434303
Specialising in beautiful perennials & bulbs including new releases from Europe & USA. Many hardy, rare & difficult to find ‘drought hardy’ plants, quality vegetable & flower seeds.
www.lambley.com.au
1070 Jacksons Track, Jindivick 3818
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.jindivickcountrygardener.com.au