ALOES: Get On Trend In 2017

Smaller aloe hybrids are adding a new dimension to the family’s appeal.

- Gerald Schofield

Aloes continue to be fashionable plants with their low water requirements, brightly coloured flowers and true African landscape look gaining popularity as a distinctive garden style. Many of them are easy to grow, require minimal care and maintenance, and yet they still make for a pleasing display, especially during times when water is scarce. New hybrids and cultivars are continuously being added to the comprehensive range available commercially. They’re being bred and selected according to various criteria, including smaller size, attractive or interesting foliage, and repeat flowering performance along with their overall garden performance. The modern hybrid aloe is a far cry from the aloes seen growing wild in the African bushveld in terms of the impact they make in the garden.