Aloe 'Topaz' (Leo Thamm Hybrid)

[zpunout]

Small grassy aloe hybrid. Parentage appears to contain aloe inyangensis. Flowers start late summer until winter. In my climate, growth is more vigorous compared to other aloes. Seems to be more prone to aphid attack than most aloes, I think partly due to the recurved leaves holding together in the centre.

Small clump

Aloe 'Topaz' late autumn

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Small cutting next to a coin for scale.

small aloe 'Topaz' in flower

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[Jasper Ridge]

Aloe ‘Topaz’ is complex hybrid described online as being a cross between the hybrid Aloe ‘LEO 1970’ and Aloe inyangensis, a grass aloe from Zimbabwe. I have two A. ‘Topaz’ plants growing in my California garden that are currently about 24 inches high by 32 inches wide (not including the inflorescences). My plants have been growing in the ground for about 3 or 4-years from 1-gallon pots and they receive water about once per week during our dry summers. The leaves are narrow and deeply channeled, and the flowers are bright orange or pinkish-orange and extend about 12 to 16 inches above the leaves. A. ‘Topaz’ typically starts blooming in the fall (October in my garden) and continues blooming for several months. Other than trimming off the spent flower stalks, A. ‘Topaz’ is carefree, and I’ve never had any issues with disease, pests, frost damage or sunburn. For a small Aloe, A. ‘Topaz’ makes a big impact for a few months each year.