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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (now Asphodeloideae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: <1 foot |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Gasteria batesiana 'Pongola' - A low growing Gasteria to under 1 foot tall that remains mostly solitary with rosettes of narrow long brown mottled dark green recurved green leaves and tubular pink and green flowers in the summer. Can grow in cool coastal full sun where foliage is more colorful but also in part sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigated only occasionally late spring to fall. Hardy to at least 25° F. An easy to grow plant and showy blooming plant that is a great addition to the shade succulent garden in the ground or in a large pot. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'gaster' meaning "stomach", in reference to the swollen shape of the base of the flower and the specific epithet honors John Bates, a trolley-bus conductor in London who was an avid succulent collector. This species is the most northerly of the genus, growing from northern Natal to the Olifants River valley in north-eastern Transvaal. This variety was collected from the Pongola Dam area, where it is found in shady south facing rocky slopes, by Pretoria National Botanic Garden nursery manager Dave Hardy.
This information is based on research conducted about this plant in our nursery library and from reliable online sources. We also take into consideration observations of it in our nursery of crops, as well as of plants growing in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens we have visited. We will incorporate comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if it includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Gasteria batesiana 'Pongola'. |
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