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This beautiful
species has large heads of deep purple foliage truly stand out
against other greenery.
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Description: It is a
branching succulent shrub that produces magnificent, almost
black-purple, leaf rosettes at the ends of its branches.
Stem: Forms grey-green beached trunk, spread 25 to 60(-100) cm.
Rosettes: Rosettes are formed at the ends of the stems.
Flowers: Light yellow flowers that form long clusters.
Blooming season: Summer.
The cultivar 'Zwartkop' is a very dark selection of Aeonium
arboretum with tall arching stems and large heads of deep purple
black foliage. It differs from the common Aeonium arboreum 'Atropurpureum'
which has somewhat shorter stems and smaller heads of dark reddish
purple foliage. Sometimes it produces nice crested stems and seems to to
change in and out of its crested mode during the years.
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Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' |
Aeonium arboreum 'atropurpureum' (standard form) |
A small tree |
Aeoniumm arboreum atropurpureum f. cristata |
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Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops)
Scientific name: Aeonium
arboreum var. artopurpureum
Origin: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar) For a
long time this cultivar has been considered a sport of the Aeonium
arboretum. It now seems that it comes from the Canary islands, thus it
then cannot be a cultivar of A. arboreum, since A.
arboreum doesn't come from there. The latest theory is that it
is a cultivar from A. manriqueorum.
Common Names include: Black rose, Black Beauty,
Black Tree Aeonium
Synonyms:
- Aeonium manriqueorum "atropurpureum"
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Cultivation: It requires
gritty well drained potting mix. Water deeply but infrequently. Plants
are allowed to thoroughly dry in-between waterings. During the winter
months restrict water to about once a month, or just enough to keep the
foliage from shrivelling. Position in full to part sun in a sheltered
spot, but the bright light enhances the rich hues of the darker Aeoniums,
and the subtle blushes of the other colours, but prefers light shade to
shade in summer. The plants tend to go dormant in the summer and look a
little tired sometimes, but they perk up again in the fall. Summer is
the natural dormant season for this species in its native land. Needs
protection from severe winter frosts (Hardy to -2°C or a little less for
short periods), over winter under glass in all but the mildest of
gardens.
Propagation: Aeonium arboreum var atropurpureum 'Schwarzkopf' is
easily propagated by cuttings in the spring. When the stem becomes too
tall, just cut the top rosette with a piece of stem and plant it. It
will soon take root, while the plant left with just the stem will soon
grow new buds that can be in turn used for propagation. Time to take
cuttings: April to July
Use: Aeoniums make excellent summer bedding plants,
since their architectural shape contrasts well with most other bedding
plants. They can also be used effectively planted in containers.
Photo of
conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Aeonium
arboreum.
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Cultivation
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