But in winter the quiver trees come into bloom en masse with spectacular displays of bright yellow flowers.Ībove: Pearson’s Aloe ( Aloe pearsonii) in habitat in the Ai-|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The stark beauty and architectural form of these huge succulents against intense blue skies and spectacular sunsets make this site worthy of a visit at any time of the year. The largest quiver tree colony in southern Africa ( Aloidendron dichotomum) is found between the towns of Nieuwoudtville and Louriesfontein. The small Namaqualand town of Nieuwoudtville is located on top of the Bokkeveld Escarpment and a popular stop for plant-loving visitors to the Northern Cape. The bitter aloe is well known for its medicinal properties and the gel-like flesh is widely used as an ingredient in cosmetics, food and drinks.Ībove: Aloidendron dichotomum at Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape. The inflorescences are often visited by nectivorous birds such as sunbirds. The bitter aloe ( Aloe ferox) is very common in the park and during the winter months visitors can enjoy their spectacular red flowers. Photo: Petra Broddle/iNaturalist.įounded to conserve the bontebok after which the park has been named, Bontebok National Park also conserves extensive areas of lowland fynbos and renosterveld adjacent to the Overberg town of Swellendam. If you are lucky, you may experience the gardens with a spectacular winter backdrop of snow on the highest peaks of the nearby Hex River Mountains.īotSoc members also enjoy access to the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden.Ībove: A magnificent stand of bitter aloe ( Aloe ferox) in full bloom. Paths climb slowly up through the garden where near the Curator’s house there is an architectural display of quiver trees ( Aloidendron dichotomum) that visitors can enjoy in flower without needing to make the long drive to the Northern Cape. Located in Worcester, this NBG is an easy two-hour drive from Cape Town.ĭuring the winter months, many different Aloes can be seen in bloom across the formal cultivated areas of the garden and along the three surrounding hiking trails.Īs you enter the garden look out for the bright yellow blooms of the maiden’s quiver tree ( Aloidendron ramosissimum) near the restaurant. Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden is a microcosm of South Africa’s arid land plant diversity, representing floras from the Succulent Karoo to the Desert Biomes of the country. Through our close partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), BotSoc members have unlimited access to Walter Sisulu NBG year round, allowing you to enjoy the garden as it changes through the seasons.Ībove: Maiden’s quiver tree ( Aloidendron ramosissimum) in bloom at Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens, Worcester. These botanical gardens are most famous for the breathtaking Witpoortjie waterfalls, which form the centrepiece of the garden.ĭuring winter embrace the fresh highveld weather to see the plethora of different Aloes blooming in the Succulent Rockery. We start our Aloe adventure at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, located at Roodepoort in Gauteng. So where are some of the best places to enjoy our members of the spectacular Aloe family in bloom? Here on the #BotSocBlog we offer you a few suggestions.Ībove: Krantz aloe ( Aloe arborescens) in flower in the Succulent Rockery at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. The Aloes are a plant family loved both in the veld and in our gardens, in South Africa and around the world. South Africa’s coldest winter weather is paired with mass displays of warm red, oranges, yellows, pinks and even green flowers of Aloes coming into bloom. Photo: Martin Weigand/iNaturalist.Īs these majestic succulents come into bloom en masse, their bright and spectacular flowers transform mountains, koppies, open plains and gardens. Above: Spectacular yellow flowers add to the beauty of the architectural quiver tree ( Aloidendron dichotomum) when in full bloom.
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