Aloe ferox painting 1

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm

A painting of an Aloe ferox in my previous garden in Tarlton, Gauteng. Each winter the aloes put up the most spectacular show of orange, brightening up the dull winter landscape. And for 10 years, every  June/July, I was  blessed with their beauty over and over again. 

Aloe ferox (known as the Cape Aloe, Bitter Aloe, Red Aloe and Tap Aloe), is a species of arborescent aloe indigenous to southern Africa. It is one of several Aloe species used to make bitter aloes, a purgative medication, and also yields a non-bitter gel that can be used in cosmetics.

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My favourite Aloes

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm - Aloe ferox

Two of my favourite Aloes - A. ferox above and A. marlothii below - every winter I wait with excitement for their beautiful flowers, attracting a myriad of insects and birds and providing much needed bright splashes of orange colour to my winter garden!

 W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm - Aloe marlothii

This is the first winter in 4 years since I acquired my A. marlothii that it has flowered!

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