Aeonium arboreum 'Electra' (Purple Pinwheel Aeonium) - A striking dark-purple succulent which forms branched stems to 2 feet tall with very uniform full rosettes to 6 inches across with many dark purple leaves at the stem tips that are paler on their backsides and green when first emerging, giving the plant a two-toned effect.
Plant in full sun near the coast to partial shade inland in a well-drained soil and water occasionally to infrequently. Cold hardy to around 27 degrees F. Like Aeonium arboreum this plant should do well near the coast, tolerate drought and be resistant to deer predation.
This cultivar is unique in that it holds more leaves in the rosettes than the other Aeonium arboreum cultivars 'Atropurpureum' and 'Zwartkop' with leaves shorter than 'Zwartkop' and green when emerging (a bit like the larger Cyclops), giving the rosette heads a very full pinwheel look. Also unique about this plant is that its inflorescence of yellow flowers emerges from below and within the rosette and arching outwards instead of being terminal and erect. This makes the plant less showy in bloom but, most importantly, the rosette does not die back after flowering. We first saw this beautiful plant at Robin Stockwell's Succulent Garden's nursery where it was listed as 'Pinwheel', which tends to be a common name for many of this type of Aeonium. Robin has since decided to name it 'Electra' after his daughter. For more information about the species and a listing of other selections and hybrids of it, see our listing of Aeonium arboreum.
The information about Aeonium arboreum 'Electra' 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. |