Plant of the Month – October
0Aloe ‘Blue Elf’
Aloe ‘Blue Elf’
- Plant Form: Succulent
- Water Use: Low
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall and wide
- Exposure: Full sun, part sun
- Bloom Time: Winter (Jan-Feb), Spring (Mar-Apr)
- Native to: Hybrid of South African parents
- Hardiness: Cold hardy to 20°F
This low-maintenance succulent looks stunning wherever it is planted, whether in gardens or in containers, either alone or in mass plantings. Hummingbirds are attracted to its red-orange flowers, so plant it near viewing areas.
Aloe Blue Elf is a tough, vigorous, fuss-free succulent that thrives in poor soil and dazzles with its tubular orange flowers from winter through early spring. This tight-clumping, dwarf aloe grows attractive rosettes of narrow, upright, blue-gray leaves. It takes full sun in stride except when surrounded by heat-retaining inorganic mulches like gravel or river stones that reflect heat (a companion rock on the south, sunny side of the plant is fine since it provides shade to the plant and roots). Like us, it can suffer heat stress when air temperatures exceed 112°F, so afternoon shade would be welcome in summer. Water thoroughly when dry. Divide crowded clumps about every 2-3 years in early spring to invigorate them, and use offsets for propagation. Hummingbirds can’t resist their flowers, so plant where you can watch the show. Perfect for rock and succulent gardens, Mediterranean gardens, informal and cottage gardens, waterwise borders, beds, around patios and pools, in decorative containers, as in mass plantings as a succulent groundcover.
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