{"product_id":"surprise-aloe-aloe-hybrid-surprise","title":"Surprise Aloe - Aloe hybrid 'Surprise'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSurprise Aloe (\u003cem\u003eAloe\u003c\/em\u003e hybrid 'Surprise') is a tall, upright orange-flowering aloe with long green leaves that form neat rosettes 60 to 70cm high and 50 to 70cm wide. In winter it sends up peach to deep orange flower spikes that can reach 1.2m, and honeyeaters and other birds come to them. It is also a genuine surprise: it is one of two similar orange-flowering hybrids, Supreme Orange or Mighty Sunset, and we cannot say which one yours is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter flower spikes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tall spikes in peach orange or shaded cream to deep orange rise to about 1.2m in winter, when most gardens are quiet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBird attracting.\u003c\/strong\u003e It draws honeyeaters and other birds, which makes it a good plant for a window you watch from.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost and drought tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It handles both, once established, although it needs shelter from hard, prolonged frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUpright and neat.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rosettes stay tidy and upright, with long green leaves that look spiny but are easy to live with.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePots or garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is perfect for pots, and it looks at home in dry gardens, xeriscapes and waterwise beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDry and waterwise gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 70cm apart in drifts for a bird-friendly display. Leave space around each plant, because the rosettes widen to 70cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A big container gives the rosette room and lets you move it into shelter in a very cold winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWell lit indoor spaces.\u003c\/strong\u003e A potted plant inside needs the brightest spot you have, and it may flower less than one grown in full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Surprise Aloe in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. It is frost and drought tolerant, but protect it from hard prolonged frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil, in pots or in the garden. A raised bed suits heavy clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly in the warmer months and ease off in cool weather. Feed once in spring with an organic liquid fertiliser at half strength.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePups and tidying.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove pups when a pot gets crowded, and pot them on or share them. Cut spent flower stems back to the base after the winter show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Surprise Aloe as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Because two varieties were mixed before labelling, you will receive one or the other, and the flowers will show you which. The care is the same for both. Plant it in full sun with sharp drainage. The tubes come from our grower, who does not always have them. A sold out tube simply means none is available today, and the notify button on the page emails you the day stock is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/aloe\"\u003eBrowse our aloe range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/aloe-care-guide\"\u003eGrowing flowering aloes in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bird-attracting\"\u003ePlants that attract birds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich variety will I get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEither Supreme Orange or Mighty Sunset. They are similar hybrids with the same care needs, and the flowers will show you which one you have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat colour are the flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeach orange, or shaded cream to deep orange, depending on the variety. Both appear on tall spikes in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it toxic to pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Aloes are toxic to dogs and cats if chewed, so place it where pets cannot reach.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67789657833791,"sku":"ALO-HYB-SURPRI-tube","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/surprise-aloe-aloe-hybrid-surprise.jpg?v=1792193677","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/surprise-aloe-aloe-hybrid-surprise","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}