False Aloe

Manfreda virginica

False Aloe is a perennial for edging, focal point, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay or loam, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Where to use it in a border

At around 45 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 6a to 9b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, clay soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants, pet-safe plants.

Border Builder uses False Aloe's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Allium 'Purple Sensation'to flower when it does not
• American Cranberrybush 'Redwing'for height behind it
• American Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls'for height behind it
• Angelita Daisyto edge in front
• Anise/Blue Sagefor height behind it
• Apple 'Bramley's Seedling'for height behind it

Garden styles

Wildlife garden