Named after Rudolf Marloth, a South African botanist,  this unbranched large aloe  often grows up to 10 feet tall and normally has a trunk densely covered by the withered old leaves.  Mountain Aloe leaves can be up to 4′ feet in length, gray-green color, with reddish-brown spines along the margins and randomly on other parts of the leaf.

In late fall to late winter appears the wide-spread branching inflorescence bearing yellow to red-orange flowers.   Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil.   Requires little to no supplemental irrigation in coastal California gardens.  this species of aloe has an especially large robust head of stiff, grey-green leaves.

Flowering takes place through the winter months.

The distinctively horizontal branches of its inflorescence is an easy way to distinguish this species from other aloes. For this reason it is sometimes known as the Flat-Flowered Aloe.

This Torch Aloe is a large densely growing succulent shrub that can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and can equally spread 6-8 feet wide with branching stems holding many 18 inch wide rosettes of narrow recurved soft-toothed margined leaves that are dull green, gray-green, yellow-green, orange-red to sometimes blue-green depending on the location and amount of sunlight received.

Aloe arborescens is fast-growing and it will tolerate drought and neglect once established, it’s easily propagated from a branch or cut stem.  Once cut, allow to dry for 5-7 days or until the wound has sealed and calloused over, and then plant in well-drained soil.  They don’t need to be rooted in a container, just transplant directly into their permanent place in the garden or landscape.  It is important to remember not to water cuttings; overwatering may cause them to rot.

Torch Aloe is grown mainly as an ornamental or as an accent plant, but is also an excellent and impenetrable hedge plant.  Plant in full sun (coast) to light shade.  This drought tolerant plant does great in coastal California without any supplementary irrigation.

This cabbage-like succulent is actually an Echeveria; it looks similar to red leaf lettuce or red cabbage.  Its large flat leaves crinkle and frill at the edges forming rosettes up to 12 inches in diameter. The rosettes are pale green when young, and then develop shades of blue and pink with age.  Edges can turn red to burgundy when grown in the sun.

This Echeveria is perfect for medium decorative pots in your outdoor living area or as a feature on your table.

Echeverias have some of the most beautiful flowers when they bloom.

This nursery-produced cactus has bizarre and interesting blue-gray waxy stems
which forms a tree-like trunk and has a tendency to fan out, clustering over one another; some stems will form stable crests while others  just cluster over one another.  Occasionally  when new branches form out from a crest, they may revert to the normal growth pattern, giving rise to a more bizarre appearance.

The crests are frequently grafted onto a normal a Myrtillocactus trunk but are easily grown on their own roots.
The Dinosaur Back Cactus tolerates exposure to full sun and moderate watering.   Myrtillocactus doesn’t like to be exposed to temperatures below 28°F and never let the night-time temperature fall below 50°F.   Water regularly during the  summer months and allow soil to dry fully before watering again.  Myrtillocactus needs well-drained soil mix, with small gravel added to ensure drainage.  During the winter months plants should be rather kept dry, and water is restricted to only enough to keep the stems and branches from shriveling.  Since they are big-sized plants need plenty of space for their roots, repotting should be done every other year, or when the plant has outgrown its pot.  Exposure: Light shade when young, full sun later.

There are several crested clones of Myrtillocactus geometrizans that have a tendency to fan out, some will form stable crests while others will cluster over one another, regardless, both types make for a spectacular landscape attraction.