This is a succulent Aloe that can grow in to a small tree, as much as 5M tall. Bright orange tubular flowers on impressive flower spikes, usually in early spring.
Flowering in the wild is triggered by autumn/winter rainfall in the Western Cape. In the Auckland Botanic Gardens ten days ago, their collection of Aloes was in full flower – completely astonishing, if you have the chance to visit. In Karin’s garden the flowering time seems to be a little more variable, with the mild frosts sometimes delaying flowering until springtime.
Click here to view the Aloe plicatilis page in Karin’s Garden.