One final aloe bloom post for spring 2016
The aloes along the street started to bloom almost a month ago. While they’re not quite done yet, it’s just a matter of time. Usually the bloom only last four or five weeks.
This year was the best display yet. That’s why I want to share these photos with you. I took them last week during a break in the rain. Since then it’s rained every day—something I’m sure these winter-growing aloes are enjoying.
Aloe ‘Moonglow’
Aloe cameronii
Aloe ferox
Aloe ‘Moonglow’
Aloe ‘Moonglow’
Aloe ‘Moonglow’
Aloe ‘Moonglow’
Aloe ‘Erik the Red’ (left) and ‘Moonglow’ (right).
The flower spikes of Aloe ‘Erik the Red’ started out perfectly vertical but they’re so heavy this year that they have flopped forward to the point where they are almost horizontal now
Aloe ‘Erik the Red’
Aloe ‘Erik the Red’
Both Aloe ‘Moonglow’ and Aloe ‘Erik the Red’ are complex hybrids from the breeding program of South African grower Leo Thamm. Check out the huge selection of aloes hybrids his company, Sunbird Aloes, has released in South Africa.
Aloe-Aloe Horticulture Pty Ltd. is distributing Leo Thamm’s hybrids in Australia. Aloe-Aloe’s web site has about a dozen aloe-related videos that are well worth seeing.
With just a few exceptions (including ‘Always Red’, ‘Erik the Red’, ‘Moonglow’), none of these hybrids are available in the U.S. I’m hoping that somebody will introduce more of these stunning bloomers to the U.S. I think they have the potential to become very popular in California and other parts of the country where winters are mild enough.
Beautiful! I especially like 'moonglow'. This makes me wish our winters were just a touch warmer. Your display will only get more beautiful as the plants continue to grow.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know how hardy 'Moonglow' is. Our low this winter has been 27°F (just one night) and 'Moonglow' sustained no damage whatsoever. But aloes are tricky. They can be perfectly fine at 27°F and fall apart at 24°F.
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos. They are doing so well.
ReplyDeleteCandy, did I give you a 'Moonglow' pup?
Delete'Moonglow' is on my wish list!
ReplyDeleteKris, I can send you an offset later in the year. It's quite a prolific pupper.
DeleteLove the combo of 'Erik the Red' and 'Moonglow'!
ReplyDeleteMe too!! Total coincidence they ended up next to each other.
DeleteThank you for sharing the links to those amazing aloe hybrids from Leo Thamm. Of course, the aloes in your own garden are stunning as well but I had no idea such variety existed. What a treat to see!
ReplyDeleteSheila, isn't it amazing? I wish more of these hybrids were available in the U.S.
DeleteSo I have to ask, where did you acquire "Moonglow" ? I would buy that in a hot minute if I saw it anywhere.
ReplyDeleteMy 'Moonglow' came from Home Depot, of all places. But that was a couple of years ago. I haven't seen any this year yet.
DeleteThe whole area you reworked there looks wonderful. Envious of your rain. My 'Always Red' is blooming for the first time, and it's quite orange.
ReplyDeleteWe have 80F+ for the next several days, unfortunately. OTOH, the LAT did report the reservoirs in No Cal are rapidly filling--which is great great news.
'Always Red' is a prolific clumper, isn't it?
DeleteYes, some of the NorCal reservoirs are at normal levels. I was actually stunned by that. I didn't think it would happen so quickly.
Aloe 'Moonglow' seems a bit more tender here in Berkeley, the inflorescences have been damaged at just 32°F, so it's interesting they take colder up in Davis. The Home Depot in San Rafael was where I got all of these same hybrids, and Devil Mountain Wholesale typically has all these too. I agree 100% I'd like to see many more of the Leo Thames hybrids here in California!
ReplyDeleteWe had a very mild winter; only only night at or slightly below 27°F (December 27). I'm not sure if 'Moonglow' had flowers at the time. I couldn't be more pleased with how well it and 'Erik the Red' have grown.
DeleteDevil Mountain does have 'Moonglow' listed: https://store.devilmountainnursery.com/inet/storefront/store.php?mode=showproductdetail&product=&product=17385.