Resembling an octopus, Aloe vanbaleni (Van Balen's Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming striking stemless rosettes of long, deeply channelled, gracefully twisting and curling leaves. Bright green with copper-red edges in the shade, the fleshy leaves warm up to orange or dark red shades in full, hot sun with minimum water. Lined with reddish teeth, they emit a cinnamon or musky fragrance when bruised or damaged. In winter to early spring, slender, conical, yellow to orange-yellow, tubular flowers are produced on unbranched spikes, 3 ft. high (90 cm). They are attractive to nectar seeking birds and insects. This colony-forming Aloe makes a fantastic focal point in sunny borders or decorative containers. * Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm). * Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Drought tolerant, but looks best with regular water during the growing season. Great for beds and borders, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
