Shiny Chocolate Rosettes Cluster This Aeonium Succulent
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The Aeonium Arboreum 'atropurpurem' is a Striking Addition to the Mediterranean Garden
The succulent pictured here is an Aeonium arboreum 'atropurpurem'. The common name is in question because each nursery seems to have a different name. One site called it the Purple aeonium but it is not purple at all so I am going to refer to as the red-green aeonium. Aeonium is the genus name. Being a species of arboreum is in doubt with some growers, as well.
I have always been a fan of succulents. My last focus on this plant type was in the seventies. I was a single Mom then and they were an enjoyment for the householder that could not afford buying plants. My next huge interest started about three years ago when I decided to plant our slope with succulent plants and cactus.
The internet and published books on the subject of succulents and cactus have made the gardening project a very absorbing pursuit. Pinning down the name of a single plant can be exasperating. It seems that variations can be easily started by using suckers and some crossing of species.
This overview of the red-green aeonium arboeum 'atropurpurem' is written so you can enjoy and recognize this plant and accent your flowerbeds with this easy to care for succulent.
all photos by paperfacets
I have always been a fan of succulents. My last focus on this plant type was in the seventies. I was a single Mom then and they were an enjoyment for the householder that could not afford buying plants. My next huge interest started about three years ago when I decided to plant our slope with succulent plants and cactus.
The internet and published books on the subject of succulents and cactus have made the gardening project a very absorbing pursuit. Pinning down the name of a single plant can be exasperating. It seems that variations can be easily started by using suckers and some crossing of species.
This overview of the red-green aeonium arboeum 'atropurpurem' is written so you can enjoy and recognize this plant and accent your flowerbeds with this easy to care for succulent.
all photos by paperfacets
The Black Rose Succulent
One Common Name for the Aeonium
I have seen one TV landscaping guru mention this plant as a chocolate aeonium. It seems many color hues are flavors these days. I like the reference. I am a big fan of chocolate. It is also called the Black Rose Tree.
Needless to say, I spent some time on succulent plant identification and came to no clear answer on my plant as for a common name.
If you want to do serious shopping for this plant it is best to go by Aeonium arboreum 'atropurpurem'.
In Southern California's long dry summer the red-green rosettes you see here do turn a rich dark semi-sweet chocolate color. There are three different looks the plant can assume and still be healthy and easy to care for.
I have succulent pictures of two stages the plant can acquire. The first two pictures are the winter sun and rainy season look. All the leaf segments get full and bright red with the bright green centers. Growth is very active and new rosettes and branches will form a vigorous plant. This plant has been in the present pot for three years. All I have done to keep its shape is break off a few branches and clean off dry leaf segments. It gets twice a week watering in the hot summer. It has become a beautiful poolside accent.
Buy Aeonium at Amazon.com
Black Rose Tree - Aeonium arboreum - RARE - Easy to grow! - 5" Pot
Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 06/04/2012)
Easy to grow and adds color to the yard. It is not that rare in California. Look for the best price and shipping. The black rose is a variable of the red one pictured above. Proper name of the black rose is Aeonium arboreum var artopurpureum.
Books About Succulents
The Plant Response to the Environment
Aeonium Characteristics
Close up of the plant that gets full sun all day during the winter months when temperatures are between 60-80 degrees during the day.
We did have a couple of nights of marginal frost; it did not sustain any damage. Spring 2011.
The same potted plant during the summer months gets full sun, but it is much hotter.
The rosettes compensate for the heat and sun by closing up and shrinking. The sun makes it darker, as well. Summer 2011.
Blooming Aeonium arboreum
and how to trim
Here is the potted plant in bloom for the first time. Three nicely clustered spikes. My husband called the blooms fireworks.
After the blooms were spent I broke the spikes off at the first branching below the spike.
I had another plant with blooms and the spikes were tall individual stems. I broke them off at the base of the plant. These are hardy plants and will tolerate any minimal breakage.
curated content from Flickr
Aeonium
The same plant in total shade during the winter. It lacks the full red hues but the plant is very healthy here. In the summer it will get 11am to 6pm sun and will turn red and have tighter rosettes.
This summer when we have lack of rain and hotter temperatures I will take pictures of the chocolate stage of the aeonium arboreum.
Propagating the Aeonium Arboreum
I have several red-green aeonium's in the yard. Occasionally, there may be accidental breakage of branches or most often, I will break branches off to keep a particular plant in a desired shape. Let the branch dry out at the tip as shown in the picture. A couple of days is all it needs a dry the end and allow new roots to form. The drying will avoid the end from getting mushy or moldy. A condition not good for replanting.Now the branches are ready to put in soil. I use standard planting mix if it is going into a pot. If it is going into the yard somewhere I dig a three to four inch hole put the branch in about three inches, cover the hole with the same soil and pat down so the branch remains standing.
Note the branches pictured here have been drying for a few weeks. Here the purple hue has finally revealed itself.
Give it water as needed. If you live in Southern California or any Mediterranean climate, once the plant is established, the area can dry out for several days to one month between watering.
The Mediterranean climate is a zone that receives about 7-9+ inches of rain in the winter with hardly none in the summer.
All the plants pictured in this blog are from this "mother" plant. This is the original plant that provided branches for all the others.
This plant is from my sister in-law's slope garden she had at one time.
Favorite Digging Tool
Trenching Shovel, 54" Handle
Amazon Price: $16.72 (as of 06/04/2012)
This is the shovel I always use when working in the yard. It slices into the clay soil easier than any other shovel we have in the shed.
My Aeonium Arboreum Planting Projects
The succulent cuttings went in before Christmas 2010. I will show you future photos.
The Second Aeonium Project
This new wall needs to have some color and aeomiums are going in because the plantings will not cost a red cent. I am going to plant the more vertical red-green and the lower growing green variety that grows into a full round mound.
Above is this rooted succulent planted a month after it was dug up on 12/10/10. The holidays got in the way of my project. It looks a bit wimpy. We will see if it perks ups.
Do You Have Succulents?
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Get an aeonium this summer.
Ebay has over 1200 succulents to choose from. It is a fun browse.
Links For the Aeonium arboreum 'atropurpurem' and more.
- Several Variations of the Aeonium
- Several variation pictures here.
- Wool Bombing
- Another way to plant Aeonium
Leave a message about your experience with this plant.
You do not need to be a Squidoo member to leave a message.
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azpoppy
May 31, 2012 @ 2:26 am | delete
- I am just starting out with succulents. This is a beautiful one! I hope mine grow as well as yours.
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KimGiancaterino May 18, 2012 @ 10:49 am | delete
- My neighbor's Aeonium is in full bloom right now. Bees galore. She gave me a few starters, so I have several in pots and around the garden. Hank is sure a cutie pie. It's always nice to have a companion while gardening.
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Frankster May 10, 2012 @ 6:02 am | delete
- I love succulents. I have them in pots and in the yard both. Great lens with excellent photos and info. Thanks for sharing. Bear hugs, Frankster
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Aquavel
Apr 4, 2012 @ 3:45 pm | delete
- They are in my new garden (we just moved). Still trying to identify all the succulents and learning how to care for them. I just found out that a couple of the branches that had broken off (because of my dog, who thinks the whole garden is hers) can be replanted and will grow! That's wonderful! Great lens!
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OhMe Jan 1, 2012 @ 11:36 am | delete
- I sure enjoyed reading about the Aeonium Succulents and Hank is precious!
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by paperfacets
Aeonium Arboreum is easy to care for and in the summer has tight chocolate rosettes that are a wonderful color addition to the garden. This is one of... more »
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