Aeonium 'Plum Purdy' - A branching small shrub 2 to 3 feet in height with wonderful 10-inch-wide rosettes that are full with many 5 inch long glossy spathulate leaves that have fine ciliate margins. The leaves emerge green and quickly darken to a beautiful plum color, so the center is often greener than the surrounding reddish purple outer parts. Bright yellow flowers in a tight capitate inflorescence rise just above the foliage in spring.
Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and water occasionally. Hardy to at least 28°F.
This very attractive cultivar has leaves not quite so dark but one and a half times the size of its parent 'Zwartkop'. It is another of the dark-leaved hybrids created named by the legendary Jack Catlin. It is a result of crossing Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' with Aeonium canariense. It has the same parentage as its sister seedling Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty'
The plant was first grown at the introduced by the Huntington Botanic Garden (Accession HBG 75124) and introduced through the International Succulent Introduction (ISI) program as ISI 94-14. In the introduction literature it was noted that the name comes from the American colloquialism "plum purdy" which means "very pretty". Our plants from the Huntington Botanic Garden.
The information about Aeonium 'Plum Purdy' 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. |