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The striking winter-blooming flowers of the dune aloe appear in June and July |
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Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za
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 Dune Aloe, Strandaalwyn -
Aloe thraskii
As its name implies the Dune Aloe is most useful for seaside planting. It has been given tree status in South Africa and varies in height from 2 to 3m tall, with mature specimens reaching up to up to 4m. It can be found growing all along the coastline, on dunes and coastal bush; from the northern Parts of the Eastern Cape into the southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
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2 new releases from BallStraathof |
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Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Breathless’
It looks like Baby’s breath but is made of sterner stuff. Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Breathless’ produces stocky plants covered in a mist of white or pink tinged flowers throughout summer.
Breathless Blush is the first dark-foliaged Euphorbia with red-flushed leaves and pink-flushed flowers. Breathless ‘White’ is a sturdier plant and shows off masses of white self-cleaning flowers.
The long-lasting and free flowering plants are heat tolerant across a wide range of conditions and fill in fast, making well rounded plants. The plants can take some shade but do best in full sun. They are suitable for single and mixed containers, in-ground plantings and as holiday gift plants with low water needs and no maintenance.
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The climbing aloe is a tough and versatile garden plant for frost-free areas |
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Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za
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Climbing aloe, rank-aalwyn -
Aloe ciliaris
This succulent vine differs from the other species in this group, by being the only true climbing aloe. It is widespread in the Eastern Cape and its habitat varies from dense thorny thickets that are dominated by succulent plants, to dry river valleys and rocky areas. In the wild the plant is usually supported by other plants and the long woody stems are leafless except for the last meter or so. The conspicuous, bright orange-red flowers bloom almost throughout the year, peaking from mid-winter to spring. The flowers are pollinated by sunbirds.
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A neat and very rewarding winter flowering aloe that adds a fiery glow to an otherwise drab garden |
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Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za
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African aloe, soap aloe, bontaalwyn - Aloe maculata (=A. saponaria)
The african aloe can be found from the Eastern and Southern Cape Province, to Kwa-Zulu Natal, growing in small colonies. It is a neat and very rewarding winter flowering succulent that adds a fiery glow to an otherwise drab garden. The attractive mottled leaves have sharp brown teeth, and the branched flower spikes are variable, from pink to red, orange and yellow.
The nectar filled flowers will attract sunbirds, bees, butterflies and many insects to the garden, and therefore, insect eating birds. The sap can be used as a soap substitute, hence its name common name; Soap Aloe. Aloe maculata makes an interesting addition to the Xeriscaped or water-wise garden and is relatively maintenance-free. It is well suited to rock or pebble gardens and grows well on sloping banks.
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From May to July the krantz aloe bears a profusion of colourful flower spikes, that will brighten up even the dullest winter garden. |
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Pictures courtesy www.newplant.co.za
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Krantz aloe, kransaalwyn, ikalene, inkalane - Aloe arborescens
The krantz aloe is possibly the most widely cultivated aloe that can be found growing in gardens around the world. It is concentrated mainly in the eastern, summer rainfall areas of South Africa; but can be found from the Cape Peninsula, along the eastern coast, through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo province. It is adaptable to many habitats, but favours exposed ridges and rocky outcrops; from coastal scrub to mountain tops.The krantz aloe will form a spreading, multi-headed shrub, growing about 2 to 3m tall. It's striking green leaves are arranged in attractive rosettes and the margins of the leaves are armed with sharp teeth. From May to July it bears a profusion of colourful flower spikes, that will brighten up even the dullest winter garden. Deep-orange is the most common colour, but there are also striking bi-coloured forms that are a deep orange-red, as well as pure yellow.
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