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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 about Gasteria batesiana 'Pongola' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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