Aeonium canariensis var. virgineum - A clustering succulent plant to 1 foot tall that has many 6 to 8 in wide slightly open rosettes with spathulate slightly fuzzy pale green leaves that take on pink hues near the leaf tips when grown in full sun. A bit shy to flower but occasionally yellow flowers rise up atop an inflorescent a foot or so above the foliage in spring.
Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and water occasionally. Hardy to at least 25°F - this plant survived the cold winter of 2007 with 3 nights at 25°F without damage. Though uncommon, this is a good garden plant as it forms clusters of rosettes so when one rosette flowers, others quickly fill the void after the flowering rosette withers away.
In nature this plant is restricted to the arid northern side of the island of Gran Canaria, growing from sea level to over 1600 feet on exposed rocky and poorly vegetated sites or under shrubs and trees. The name Aeonium comes for Greek word 'aionion' or 'aionios' meaning immortal or everlasting for its succulent nature and presumed longevity. The specific epithet is in reference to the occurrence of this plant in the Barranco de la Virgen (Virgin's Ravine) which is noted to be contain a relic laurel forest such a what once covered the entire interior of the island of Gran Canaria. It came to us in 2005 from Stockton succulent collector Alice Waidhofer. We also grow a plant that is either a selection or hybrid of this plant that we call Aeonium 'Gary's Shadow' and several Aeonium canariensis hybrids such as Aeonium 'Alice Keck Park', Aeonium 'Carol' and Aeonium 'Plum Purdy'.
The information about Aeonium canariensis var. virgineum 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. |