There are hundreds of Aloe species, common to all is the way the leafs grow in a rosette and the spectacular flowers they produce. Most are native to Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula so our mediterranean low water, exposed and poor soil conditions are often easily tolerated by these plants.

 

Often confined to "succulent" gardens they are greatly underused. Their value as specimens and feature plants in the European mediterranean garden has yet to be realised, but be warned, collecting them can become an addiction.