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Aloe variegata

Partridge - breast aloe or Tiger aloe or Pheasant’s wings or Kanniedood

You won?t see partridges at the partridge-breast aloe, but you will see hummingbirds and verdins.

Small, dark green aloe with long irregular bands of white spots across the stiff, triangular leaves. Leaves are edged with a rough whitish border, giving a very ?tidy? effect. The plant spreads readily by underground stems (rhizomes), forming clumps. In soft soil, the rhizomes can travel many feet! Flowers may be pink to scarlet, grouped in clusters a few inches above the plant, making the blooming height about one foot tall. (In Tucson, it blooms February to May; in its native South Africa it blooms July-Sept, which is spring Down Under.)


QuickFacts Description Growth Forms: Succulent, Perennial. Mature Height: 8-12 inches Predominant Flower Color: Orange-red Flowering Seasons: Spring (mid February - April) Fruit Seasons: Fore-Summer (May - June) Similar Plants: <i>Aloe saponaria</i> (Ait.) Haw. (also <i>Aloe maculata</i> All.) This spotted aloe is common in Tucson, especially in older neighborhoods. It produces long lasting coral flowers in early spring, but the plants show frost damage in the mid-20s. This plant forms vigorous clumps that usually recover. Gardening Planting Zone: Mini Oasis, Transition zone Water Use: Low Exposure: Shade to Partial Sun Hardy to: 20° - 25° F Planting Season: Spring (mid February - April), Fall (October - November) Growth Rate: Slow Availability: Available at nurseries that carry a selection of succulents. In the Wild Habitat: Widely distributed in the dry regions of southern Africa. Native Range: In southern Africa: in the tree state, the Karoo, Namagualand, and the southern parts of Namibia. There is occurs at 330 to 5900 feet.

Landscape Use: Accent Plant, Swimming Pool Area, Bird Garden, Massing, Cactus Garden, Container Plant, Patio Area.

The dark green, stiff spotted leaves are striking and the deep red-orange flowers are plentiful and long-lasting. Partridge-breast forms its own clump eventually. Plant in a low, wide container on a patio, in a planter or bed of succulents, or under the filtered shade of a desert tree in a bird garden, or any desert garden. Place where hummingbirds may be seen visiting the flowers.

Planting Tips: Plant partridge-breast any time of the year, in filtered sunlight or a morning sun exposure. For the patio, use a low, wide container and commercial cactus potting mix. If planted in the ground, work in some sand to improve drainage. For a healthy aloe, plant a little bit high, and surround the stem with a thick ?collar? of gravel to hold it in place. This aloe spreads via underground stems, so allow some room for expansion.

Gardening Tips: Water partridge-breast about once per week during the hottest months, then about every 2 - 3 weeks during the coldest months. To promote spring flowering, fertilize in mid-winter with a soluble bloom fertilizer. Partridge-breast is one of the hardiest aloes you can find and it is normally not necessary to cover it on freezing winter nights, but if the plant is already flowering, then cover at 32?F, because even though the leaves are hardy, the flowers are quite vulnerable to freezing. If the offsets get out of hand, dig them up and pot them to give away. Pruning living leaves is disfiguring and invites infection. All aloes form a ?skirt? of old leaves that should be left in place to protect stems from cold and from animals. Leave flower stalks in place after bloom; seed pods are attractive and useful in crafts. Tissue-y seeds are fun to show children.

Attracting Wildlife

Wildlife Attraction: Birds.
Wildlife Use: Red-orange tubular flowers are visited by hummingbirds.

Names

Family: Aloaceae (Aloe Family)
Scientific Name (Genus species): Aloe variegata
Pronounced AL-oh; ?variegata? means variegated, referring to the marked leaves.
Common Names: Partridge - breast aloe, Tiger aloe, Pheasant’s wings, Kanniedood

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