
Glorious Aloes
With their vivid torch-like blooms and sculptural forms, aloes are jewels of the winter garden in Southern California. Though most of the 300-400 species are indigenous to Africa and Madagascar, and if protected from frost, they thrive in our climate with minimal water or care.
In their form, aloes range from clustering — with rosettes multiplying along the ground — to single stem or tree-like varieties. For design purposes, I gravitate toward the clustering forms for their ability to mix well with other low water plants. I love to use the single stem forms, such as Aloe marlothii, for drama in a container planting.
Both LA County Arboretum and The Huntington have extensive aloe collections. Here are just a few examples from The Huntington and other local gardens. Click on an image to enlarge.
- A mature stand of Aloe arborescens marks the entry to an estate in La Canada Flintridge. One of the most commonly planted varieties in Southern California, Aloe arborescens can reach up to 10 feet tall.
- Aloe ‘Blue Elf’ in a garden I designed in South Pasadena.
- Aloe sinkatana at the Huntinton Gardens in San Marino.
- Aloe ‘Vulcan’s Fire’
- Aloe vanbalenii
- Aloe bussei
- Aloe x principis
No Comments