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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (now Asphodeloideae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Synonyms: [Aloe croucheri] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Gasteria croucheri 'Cynthia Giddy' - Cynthia's Natal Gasteria - A large form of Gasteria croucheri to 18 inches tall by 2 feet+ wide with fairly rigid thick dark green 1 foot long leaves that tapper towards the tips and have light spotting. In late summer into fall appear the several foot long inflorescences that rise upward then curve over extending the 1 inch long dangling pink flowers in mass in a long sideways panicle. These flowers are tubular with a swollen pink base lightning toward greenish white at the slightly flaring petal tips. Can grow in cool coastal full sun where foliage turns reddish but best in part sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigated only occasionally late spring to fall. Hardy to at least 25° F. An easy to grow plant and showy blooming plant that is a great addition to the shade succulent garden in the ground or in a large pot. This species has a wide distribution from the subtropical Eastern Cape to central KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa where it can be found growing along cliffs and rocky outcroppings. Though the climate in its native habitat is hot and humid in summer and without frost in the winter, it has performed well in California's mediterranean climate, tolerating cold temperatures down below 25° F. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'gaster' meaning "stomach", in reference to the swollen shape of the base of the flower and the specific epithet honors J. Crocher, a succulent plant specialist who was the first head gardener at Kew. The plant was first collected and introduced into cultivation by Thomas Cooper in 1860 but not named by Joseph Dalton Hooker until 1880 after he first described it as Aloe (Gasteria) croucheri in Curtis's Botanical Journal where he called it Mr. Crocher's Gasteria and wrote: "This, the handsomest Gasteria of the kind that has hitherto flowered at Kew, is named after the intelligent foreman of the propagating department, Mr Croucher, under whose care the succulent plants of the Royal Garden are placed, and to whose zeal and special love for this class of plant the collection owes much of its value and interest."
The information about Gasteria croucheri 'Cynthia Giddy' 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. |
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