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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.
| This wonderful feature plant is tall and robust, with enormous olive
green leaves that are recurved back to the trunk, sometimes even
touching the skirt of old, dried leaves around the trunk. The Leaf
margins are armed with reddish-brown teeth. The large inflorescences of
striking winter-blooming flowers usually appear in June and July. The
flowers are yellow, with green tinged tips, and the anthers are orange,
giving the flowers a bicoloured look.
This wonderful architectural plant will add accent and interest to your garden and will attract nectar and insect eating birds. Plant it as a single specimen or in large groups, for great effect. The dune aloe also grows beautifully in large containers.
Aloe thraskii grows well in cultivation, where it has proven to be very fast growing, developing a "trunk" early in life. Plant it in full sun and ensure that the soil drains very well, to help prevent fungal infections. The dune aloe is drought resistant but will tolerate wetter conditions than most aloes, as long as the soil drains very well. It should be watered sparingly in the garden. Mulch in autumn with kraal manure or compost. The dune aloe is tender to frost; the leaves will withstand light frosts but the flowers will not. It also is a good choice for inland gardens with mild winters and not overly damp. summers.
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