Aloe speciosa is a native of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and has an unbranched trunk on top of which sits a rosette of thick succulent, dull green leaves with red margins and spines.
As the leaves die they remain attached to the trunk, these can be removed or left attached giving the trunk a shaggy look.
During the winter short spikes of red buds are produced that open as greenish white flowers.
As with most Aloe this can make a attractive addition to the garden rockery, they do take up quite a lot of room so it not a good choice for a smaller rockery.