Aloe arborescens

Native to southern Africa, Aloe arborescens is one of the most striking and easy-to-grow aloes in the genus. Unlike the low-growing, stemless Aloe vera, this species develops over the years into a true branching shrub, forming multiple stems from the base and reaching 2 to 3 metres in height — hence its common name, "candelabra aloe" or "tree aloe".

Each rosette is made up of long, fleshy, grey-green leaves, gently curved and toothed along the edges, arranged in a dense spiral. In winter, while most of the garden lies dormant,

Aloe arborescens produces striking spikes of vivid orange-to-red tubular flowers held above the foliage — a valuable source of colour in the cold season, and a magnet for nectar-feeding birds and any pollinators still active. 

It's very rare to see them flower in Europe - though it is not impossible!

Generally frost tolerant up until -5°C, but it is wise to use a frost blanket if the frost stays for much longer than a few days.