WINTER FLOWER POWER
19 Aug 2015
Victorian councils are increasingly recognising the need for new tough autumn and winter flowering plants that are more suitable to our climate, offer residents and visitors increased visual impact and cost ratepayers less.
Landscaping of public places is no longer just about beautification of the built environment with superficial greenery. Many Victorian councils now believe that the plants they use need to engage visitors throughout the whole year by introducing flower colour and seasonal change. Further, their choices need to encourage biodiversity by bringing the birds and the bees back to the cities. This needs to be done in sustainable and cost effective ways.
The quest to find something attractive and more appropriate has led to the widespread adoption by many different councils across Victoria of a new generation of easy-to-grow, spectacular flowering hybrid aloes. Historically, pure aloe species have been overlooked, perhaps because those available had insignificant and short-lived flowers (they were grown mainly for their foliage) or perhaps because they were not reliable in the climate.
Improved traits of the new hybrid Aloe-Aloe’s include:
- Flowering as younger plants (pure aloe species can take many years to reach flowering maturity)
- Longer flowering (some for up to nine months)
- More prolific flowering
- Better adaptability to a wide range of climates, including significant rainfall
Whilst most of the flowering takes place in the autumn and winter months, varieties can be selected to flower at different times of the year, allowing flowering to be evident for much of the year.
There are now more than ten different production nurseries growing Aloe-Aloe’s across all states of Australia, and significantly more distributors.
For licensed grower details and other information contact Aloe-Aloe Horticulture on 07 3371 2986 or 0419 476408 or email info@aloe-aloe.com.au
Nurseries interested in acquiring tissue culture or young plants of these new varieties should contact mike@aloe-aloe.com.au or info@tissuecultureaustralia.com.au
For further information visit:
www.aloe-aloe.com.au
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Images top to bottom (plant varieties): Southern Cross; Copper Shower; Erik the Red; Moonglow & Gemini; Moonglow & Gemini.
