| Botanical Name |
Aloe ciliaris var. ciliaris |
| Family |
Aloeaceae - The aloe family. |
| Pronunciation |
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| Common Name(s) |
Red climbing aloe, Rankaalwyn, iKhalana (Xhosa) |
| Plant Group |
- Succulent A plant having fleshy stems or leaves often adapted to dry conditions.
|
| Plant Size |
- Small
| Tree | 4m to 8m |
| Shrub | 50cm to 75cm |
| Perennial/ground cover | 10cm to 20cm |
| Bulb | 20cm to 30cm |
| Succulent | 10cm to 20cm |
|
| Position |
- Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
- Deep / Full Shade Shade below spreading evergreen trees where sun's rays are unable to penetrate the canopy at any time. For light sensitive plants
- Dry Shade Shady areas where soil has poor water retention or are dependent on rain for their moisture needs.
- Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
- Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
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| General Information |
- Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
- Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
- Frost: Tender A plant that will not survive any frost or low winter temperatures.
- Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.
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| Specific Information |
Aloe ciliarus is unique in being the only true climbing aloe. It can be grown across South Africa in frost free areas, including the Western Cape.
Watch out for snout beetle damage (see blog for details). |
| Flowers |
| Description |
tubular flowers on an erect stem |
| Season |
- All Year Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.
- Spring Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.
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| Colour |
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| Growth Rate |
- Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.
|
| Plant Uses |
- Attracts bees and other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
- Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
- Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.
- Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.
- Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
- Suitable for smaller gardens Such plants do not have invasive root systems, remain small or controllable and can often be grown in containers.
- Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.
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| Ad Break |
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| Distribution |
Eastern Cape thicket vegetation from Uitenhage to the Kei River mouth. |
| Planting Suggestions |
Plant Aloe ciliarus in well drained soil at the base of a shrub, fence or tree, or under a hedge. It will quickly climb through the canopy and extend its flowers to the sun. Feed with compost and mulch well. |
| Medicinal Uses |
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| Availability |
- Available The plant is currently available at our nursery.
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Comments
a true bulb aloe
I was at a specialist collector a few months ago and he showed me a truly bulb aloe. Leaves run flat along ground and die back in winter. Any thoughts on what speicies this is? Also my Longistyla leaves are grey green. Is this fine?
Regards
Bulb aloe
Yes your Aloe longistyla leaves should be grey green. As to the bulb aloe, I have not yet come across anything like that. There are succulents however, that look much like bulbs with leaves that can be either flat or upright, and some them do die back in winter. These are known as Epigeal (above ground) bulbs and species such as Albuca, Ledebouria and Ornithigalum could easily appear to be aloes. See Albuca nelsonii in the plant list.
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