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Aloe verdoorniae (Blue Spotted Aloe) - A stemless aloe that grows in a cluster to about a foot tall by 2 feet wide with tight rosettes of fleshy, triangular leaves. The recurving bluish-gray leaves have prominent sharp red-brown teeth along the leaf margins and when grown in full sun turn a dark blue to almost black color with the dried tan leaf tips curled downwards. In mid-winter arise the branched conical inflorescences bearing orange-red flower spikes.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate infrequently. Has proven hardy to 24F and is listed as such on Brian Kemble's Hardy Aloe list. An interesting aloe with great leaf color and cheery colorful flowers.
Aloe verdoorniae has a limited natural range in South Africa, from the eastern outskirts of Pretoria in Gauteng eastwards to Dullstroom and Belfast in Mpumalanga. It is noted as a poorly known species with a limited distribution that in the past it has been described as a variety of Aloe greatheadii and others have considered it to be a form of the more widespread and common Aloe davyana. The name Aloe comes from ancient Greek name aloe that was derived from the Arabian word 'alloch' that was used to describe the plant or its juice that was used as medicine. The specific epithet honors the South African botanist Dr. Inez C. Verdoorn (1896–1989) who was a past curator of the National Herbarium of the Botanical Research Institute (now SANBI), in Pretoria, South Africa. Other common names include called Transvaalaalwyn, Kleinaalwyn, Grasaalwyn. Aloe verdoorniae has been used by rural South African communities to treat many ailments.
We first received two plants of this species as Institute for Aloe Studies distribution IAS08-026 2008 in August 2008. It has great foliage color and colorful flowers but we decided not to produce it because we thought the naturally drying leaf tips decreased its general salability to all but discerning aloe collectors. Our stock remained in our stock corral until we released it for sale in 2024 before closing the nursery.
The information about Aloe verdoorniae displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
