Friday, July 4, 2014

Aloe dorotheae is my favorite plant in the garden (this week)…

If ever there was a plant that requires nothing but gives everything it is Aloe dorotheae. I have three, bought over consecutive years at Rare Plant Research. All they require for happiness is a winter stay in the warm house and a summer vacation on the patio. Since they aren’t a large growing aloe that’s not a difficult thing to do.

So what makes this plant special? It colors up dramatically, in fact its common name is sunset aloe. This one’s my oldest, in a (rare for me) combo container on the patio table.

The white spots are an added bonus, unlike the spots on that baby agave to it's right. Those were caused by a powerful hail storm.

This one's in a lot more shade, and as a result it's coloring is rather subtle.

But still gorgeous.

The stats on Aloe dorotheae:
  • hardy to USDA Zones 10-11, heat and drought tolerant
  • prefers sun to light shade
  • forms colonies which can reach 1' tall and 1-2 ' wide, individual plants stay quite small
  • native to east Africa (Tanzania)
  • blooms in mid to late winter, although I have had summer blooms on 2 of my plants
And a couple of "fun facts" from the Denver Zoo (not that's not a typo, the zoo, not the Denver Botanical Garden)...
  • this aloe can be difficult to successfully pollinate in cultivation
  • most all the plants available in the U.S. are clones of a very small gene pool

So tell us what plant in your garden it is you're enjoying this first week of July...

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude
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29 comments:

  1. outlawgardenerJuly 04, 2014

    The color of the one you grow in the sun is amazing! Just got one from RPR at Hortlandia and think it's grand!

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  2. AlisonJuly 04, 2014

    WooHoo! Not only was I able to choose a favorite this week, but I have a post about it all ready to go! It's here: http://bonneylassie.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-favorite-plant-in-garden-this-week.html

    I have a handful of Aloes too, I wonder if they're Aloe dorothieae. I know so little about them. They have lots of offsets, but aren't anywhere near as bright as yours.

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenJuly 05, 2014

      These are very distinctive looking aloes with very glossy "skin"...the only place I've seen them for sale around here is from RPR.

      Delete
  3. www.ravenscourtgardens. comJuly 04, 2014

    Wow I love red plants! I am smitten with your beautiful red aloe...it would love living here in Houston : ) I will have to keep and eye out for one. Thank you for sharing and making me smile!

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  4. Deanne FortnamJuly 04, 2014

    Just love that plant! Great form and color. Easy to see why it is this week's favorite!

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  5. Mark and GazJuly 04, 2014

    That's a stunner, especially the first one in your mixed container! The colour of that one is so intense it almost looks artificial. And quite fun facts indeed behind the plant.

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenJuly 05, 2014

      You're right! It could be plastic it's so bright.

      Delete
  6. Kris PetersonJuly 04, 2014

    I'm taking another trip to the Orange County succulent emporium again in a couple of weeks and I'm definitely going to look for one of these.

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  7. Spiky ObsessionJuly 04, 2014

    That first plant has an amazing colour to it, I don't think the su is strong enough in the Uk to get that shade of red.

    I was able to select a favourite this week, along with a spin off to favourite plant off favourite gardening tool. http://spikyobsession.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/tin-snips-are-my-favourite-tool-of-week.html

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenJuly 05, 2014

      I bet it could, it actually holds that color through most of the winter too, and isn't in full sun all day. I think lack of water helps to stress it too.

      Delete
  8. UnknownJuly 04, 2014

    Wowwww, I need to get me one of these. That colour is just incredible! Reminds me of a lobster.

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  9. Pam/DiggingJuly 04, 2014

    Stunning, Loree! Is it the same aloe, do you think, that we saw in the Testa-Vought garden in S.F.? 12th photo down: http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=22611

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    1. danger gardenJuly 05, 2014

      I'm no expert but I would say no, the leaves on this aloe are extremely glossy. That one might be Aloe 'Fire Ranch'?

      Delete
    2. Pam/DiggingJuly 05, 2014

      Thanks for the possible ID!

      Delete
  10. rickiJuly 05, 2014

    I'm gaga over all Aloes, and that is an especially fetching one. Red! Love it!

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenJuly 06, 2014

      I think it sounds like you "need" on Ricki!

      Delete
  11. Evan BeanJuly 05, 2014

    Wow! That's a really cool aloe. I love the red color and the form. My favorite this week isn't winter hardy either. In fact it's a permanent indoor resident. http://practicalplantgeek.blogspot.com/2014/07/pleurothallis-leucopyramis-is-my.html

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    Replies
    1. danger gardenJuly 06, 2014

      Who needs winter hardy with cute little blooms like that?

      Delete
  12. JennJuly 05, 2014

    I'm wondering if the super coddled, very frost tender aloe that I have etoliating on my front porch is one of these! Time to move it around a bit. Journey to sun, step one!

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  13. LoriJuly 05, 2014

    That's a spectacular aloe! I am gonna have to keep my eye out for it in Austin. I know exactly what I would pair it with in a pot (firecracker fern and Devil's Backbone).

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  14. northoftaborJuly 11, 2014

    That's an amazing plant!

    ReplyDelete
  15. scottmDecember 08, 2016

    wow

    ReplyDelete

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