Looking for a legendary landscaping plant to add structure and texture to your garden? Say hello to the Aloe-aloe range of hybrid aloes. Their uniquely striking looks may not be everybody's cup of tea, but they are solid and reliable options for a broad range of garden uses.

 

A little about Aloe-aloes

Growth potential: Differs from variety to variety. Average 30cm high and wide excluding flower spikes, but some can reach up to 2m high and 1m wide.

Light requirements: Full sun.

Water requirements: Drought-tolerant once established, but water more frequently in hot, dry summers.

Soil type: Nutrient-rich and well-draining. Avoid planting in clay soils - if your soil is clay-based, consider a pot or plant on a raised mound.

Flowering period: Autumn and winter for most varieties.

Suitable for pots: Absolutely! Just ensure you're placing in a container large enough to suit the individual variety - always check the plant label.

Recommended garden uses: Mass planting, borders, rockeries, potted specimens, poolside plantings.

 

5 reasons Aloe-aloes might surprise you

Reason 1: They're super hardy.

If you're looking for a plant that can withstand neglect, look no further. Aloes, like most succulents, hail from some of the most inhospitable climates on earth - deserts. They are naturally inclined to withstand harsh elements, are fantastically heat-tolerant and can go for long periods with minimal water. Plant them in full sun in a sandy or gravelly, well-draining soil with plenty of nutrients and they will grow happily with minimal attention.

Aloe-aloe 'Venus' enjoying a full sun spot near a swimming pool.

Reason 2: They're reliable and consistent.

Aloe-aloes are a plant you can set your watch by, so to speak. You can plant them confidently, knowing that if they are in the right spot in your garden you'll get the same result every time - a striking, sculptural evergreen. For this reason, you'll often find them in large-scale, public place plantings managed by councils, universities and professional landscapers. Prominent examples include the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Art Gallery of South Australia. As aloe hybrids, Aloe-aloes also benefit from a concept called "hybrid vigour", which generally results in stronger plants with better pest- and disease-resistance than unadulterated or "pure" plants from the same family. They have little in the way of pest susceptibility, aside from a few pesky sap-suckers - learn how to deal with aphids and mealy bugs here.

Aloe-aloe 'Bush Baby Yellow' outside the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

 

Reason 3: Their incredible foliage offers year-round interest.

As part of the succulent family, Aloe-aloes use their foliage to store water - and as a result, those fleshy leaves stay on the plant year-round. The many varieties of Aloe-aloe offer eye-catching, architectural foliage. Features including spiked edges, spines, spots and intriguingly coloured new growth add texture and visual interest to your garden through every month of the year.

Aloe-aloe foliage.

 

Reason 4: They have beautiful, long-lasting flowers.

While medicinal aloe is famed for the gel-like sap held within its leaves, hybrid Aloe-aloes are far more remarkable for their flowers. During autumn and winter, most Aloe-aloe varieties produce tall spikes with masses of vibrant tube-shaped blooms held high above their foliage. These flower spikes come in a range of colours from vibrant reds and oranges to pastel pinks, lemon yellows and creams, while some varieties also produce bi-coloured spikes. The flowers last for months, adding plenty of colour to your garden!

Aloe-aloe 'Outback Orange'.

 

Reason 5: They're a great food source for pollinators.

Those eye-catching flowers aren't just there for looks. They're also filled with nectar, making them highly attractive to wildlife such as bees, butterflies and a whole range of birds, both native and exotic. If you want a garden that's buzzing with a cornucopia of pollinating friends, Aloe-aloe is the perfect addition!

A native noisy miner bird perched on some Aloe-aloe 'Moonglow', ready for a nectar-filled feast!

 

Have we convinced you? Click here to shop our range of Aloe-aloes!