Aloe vanbalenii

This stand of Aloe vanbalenii at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester is a special sight at any time of the year. The picture was taken in January when there were no flowers.

The colour reward at this time comes from the leaves that are more intensely red as the dry heat stresses the plant and less photosynthesis occurs in its resting season. The display should be greener in the rainy season. Visits during June and July will also be rewarding when most of these rosettes will produce flowers again.