Aloiampelos tenuior

Aloiampelos tenuior, previously known as Aloe tenuior, is a rambling aloe that forms clumps. Yellow or red flowers are produced throughout the year, but mostly in late winter. There is also an in-between, orange flowering form and there was a time when several varieties of this species were recognised, not any longer.

This plant performs the role of a medium sized shrub in the garden admirably. It won’t die from a dry season, but thrives when there is water. A. tenuior grows easily from stem cuttings and is an asset to various types of gardens, even those where the emphasis is away from aloes or succulents. The slender branches, elegant leaves and sustained flowering all contribute to its wide use as a garden plant.

A. tenuior grows naturally near the Eastern Cape coast and southern KwaZulu-Natal, as well as in Mpumalanga in a disjunct distribution. It is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (www.plantzafrica.com; Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; www.redlist.sanbi.org).