Aloe perfoliata (mitriformis)

Aloe perfoliata, formerly known as Aloe mitriformis, forms beautifully colourful rosette carpets in dry rocky areas exposed to intense sunlight. This perennial succulent plant develops stems that bend under the weight of the rosettes and root in different places. These rosettes have fleshy, triangular leaves with small non-prickly white teeth along the edges. They are adorned with warm and soft shades and come to life in late spring or early summer with parasol-shaped carmine red inflorescences that are incredibly nectar-rich. This aloe thrives in full sun, in a Mediterranean-style garden or in a large pot on a patio.

Aloe perfoliata is a botanical species in the Asphodelaceae family. It is native to the Southwest of South Africa (Western Cape), where it grows in rocky coastal and mountainous areas. Its frost resistance is estimated at -5 or -6°C (23 or 21.2°F) in dry soil. It is a succulent perennial plant of modest size, with a prostrate habit, reaching 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) in height but capable of spreading over 1.5 to 2m² (2 to 7ft²). Each leaf rosette quickly elongates to form a leafy stem that bends and creeps under its own weight. Each rosette, facing towards the sky, is composed of thin, triangular, slightly incurved, pointed leaves, ranging in colour from bluish green to dark green. Under the effect of sun and drought, the edges of the leaves, as well as their undersides, develop shades of brick, pink to red, and even mauve tones. The aging leaves dry up and form a thick sheath around the creeping stem. Flowering occurs in summer, from June to August. The branched inflorescence, measuring 40 to 60cm (16 to 24in) in height, emerges from the heart of the rosette. It takes the form of a bouquet of long, carmine red tubular flowers arranged in an umbrella shape. The floral stem shifts away from the heart as new leaves appear. The flowers are popular with pollinating insects,

Highly resistant to salt spray and drought, Aloe perfoliata can be cultivated both in pots to decorate a patio or balcony, and in open ground, in a rock garden or on a dry bank. In a mild climate, or on the protected Atlantic coast, it can be acclimatised in open ground. It will enhance steep or rocky, well-drained terrain, or even the top of a dry-stone wall. Elsewhere, it can be planted in a wider than tall pot to fully appreciate its unique charm. For example, it can be combined with small agaves, echeverias, and delosperma in a collection of potted plants. You can plant low-growing, undemanding ground covers such as Missouri evening primrose, osteospermums, and felicia at its base, which will fill the space with their flowering and evergreen foliage, and hide the void left by a dead plant

About Agaves and Aloes

Aloes and agaves look alike but belong to two different botanical families, the Asphodelaceae and the Asparagaceae. The main difference between them lies in the fact that the rosettes of aloes flower for many years, while the flowering of a mature agave rosette marks the end of its life. In certain species of aloes, interfoliar buds give rise to new plants that cover the dried remains of the mother plant. In agaves, the central flower stalk develops from the terminal bud. In aloes, the flower buds arise between the leaves. Agaves are native to North America, while aloes are found only in the southern half of Africa and in the nearby islands of the Indian Ocean.