Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Succulents

Aloe 'Blue Elf, Aloe hybrid

Aloe 'Blue Elf, Aloe hybrid.

Aloe 'Blue Elf	Aloe 'Blue Elf
Aloe 'Blue Elf	Aloe 'Blue Elf

Aloe 'Blue Elf Aloe hybrid 'Blue Elf, Asphodelaceae Family ( Asphodelaceae ) a subdivision of the Lily Family ( Liliaceae ), Aloe 'Blue Elf. Also called: California Aloe. Aloe 'Blue Elf' - A tight clumping aloe that grows to 18 inches tall by 2 feet wide with narrow upright gray-blue leaves that contrast well with spikes of orange flowers that appear from early winter to early spring (January-April) and attract hummingbirds. Plant in full sun and irrigate only occasionally. Hardy to to 20° F. Useful in containers or in mass plantings. This great long blooming aloe hybrid may have been one of Edward C. Hummel's hybrids and is thought by some to have Aloe humilis as one parent but is not the same as the A. humilis hybrid called 'Ed Hummel' which is smaller and has spines on the upper and lower leaf faces - has also been marketed as "California Aloe". A mature plant rarely exceeds the height of about 16 inches, but can clump from the base to eventually be as wide as 3 1/2 feet. Clumps explode with many spikes of coral-red flowers in late winter and continuously through spring. When the show is all over, the slender leafed foliage remains wonderfully blue throughout the rest of the year. It is very pool friendly. Height: Height to about 3 - 3 feet. Spreading to about 4 feet. Flowers: Yellow drooping flowers grow in a long raceme at the top of the flower stalk. On an inflorescence that is branched into 3 to 8 racemes, the racemes sre 8 inches to 16 inches in length. Flowers are 1 inch - 1 1/4 inch in length, tubular in shape and slightly upturned at the mouth. Blooming Time: January - July. Leaves: Smooth gray - green in color, narrow and oblong in shape, the leaf - margins have small, sharp teeth that are red - brown in color. Stems: Stemless, densely leaved rosette. Fruit: The fruit is a triangular capsule containing numerous seeds. Elevation: 0 - 4,800 Feet. Habitat: Sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil. Full Sun. Best with some shade. A Xeriscape Landscape plant. Native to Northern Africa, the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Islands.. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken At Sun City. March 1, 2006. Photos Taken At Glendale Xeriscape Garden. February 15, 2006. It is also sold as aloe bardadensis.