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Aeonium nobile 'Cluster Form' (Clustering Noble Aeonium) - A robust and clustering selection or hybrid of Aeonium nobile that has short stout stems topped by large rosettes to 12 to 15 inches across with thick fleshy orange to red-tinged olive-green rounded-tip triangular leaves with offsets forming along the stems - which is atypical for the species. After several years, the plant matures and in late winter to spring produces a large inflorescence that rises on a red stalk to display a flattened capitate head over 1 foot wide and nearly as tall with many small star-shaped pink flowers with white anthers (the species usually has dark red flowers). While the main rosette dies (and results in the plant's demise for the non-clustering species) the non-flowering rosettes on this plant live on.
Grows well in shade but develops the red coloration best when grown in full coastal sun or at least part sun inland. Here on the coast it is drought tolerant but tolerates regular irrigation so long as the soil is very well draining. Hardy to the mid to low 20's F with reported leaf damage around 20F. An easy to grow plant that is great planted in a dry succulent planting or used as an unusual potted specimen. This species, which we also grow and list as Aeonium nobile, is a bit rarer in the nursery trade than other Aeonium but many consider it to be the showiest of the genus and this form that formed multiple rosettes could even be more spectacular!
Aeonium nobile is endemic to the Canary Islands where it can be found growing in lava rock and experiences dry summers while the plant is dormant. The name from the genus comes for Greek word 'aionion' or 'aionios' meaning immortal or everlasting for its succulent nature and presumed longevity. The specific epithet means "noble" or "aristocratic" in reference to the large size of its rosettes but it could just as well describe the beautiful tower of red flowers.
This origin of this selection/hybrid is a bit of a mystery - we purchased our original stock plant at Terra Sol Nursery, a retail nursery in Santa Barbara, CA. We offered it for sale in 2012 and 2013 and thought it would replace the normal form Aeonium nobile that we also grew but unfortunately, we lost our stock plants and were unable to continue to produce it.
The information about Aeonium nobile 'Cluster Form' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include 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 we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
