Aloe

One aloe we all know is Aloe vera, from which we get aloe juice and aloe gel for sunburns and relief from insect bites. It is not cold tolerant, and will turn to mush in winter if planted in your landscape. It’s best to grow it in pots and move indoors or warm spots in winter.

Otherwise, it’s tough as nails, needing little water or maintenance. Do keep it out of direct sunlight.

But there are many equally low-care hardy aloes that survive drought, heat, and cold in our garden beds. They require little water or attention, but they do require good drainage and sun.

Be sure to amend the soil with plenty of sand or fine aggregate decomposed granite.† Nothing will kill a succulent faster than wet, poorly-drained soil.

Their distinctive leaves add stunning low-growing dimension to our well-drained gardens. They come in different colors, but again, do check for cold hardiness.

The bloom stalks on hardy aloes shoot skyward, often branching into tree-like shapes, similar to those of agaves.† Bloom stalks usually emerge in summer, and may be red, yellow, orange or any color in between.† Hummingbirds love them!

Aloes also produce offshoots that can be easily divided and replanted elsewhere.†