Aeonium arboreum Garnet

Aeonium arboreum 'Garnet' is a highly decorative horticultural hybrid, whose name immediately announces the colour of its foliage. The rosettes are predominantly garnet, especially when the plant is placed in a very sunny location. The centre remains green, creating a pleasant contrast, especially when the small yellow flowers appear in spring, standing out against the darker foliage. This moderate-sized succulent plant has a geometric and graphic appearance. Aeonium 'Garnet' grows in most soils, from acidic to moderately calcareous, as long as they are well-drained. It is frost-sensitive and should be overwintered practically everywhere in France or protected in milder climates.

Aeoniums are succulent plants of the Crassulaceae family, which includes about 1500 species, many of which have ornamental value. Everyone knows the popular Kalanchoe with their vibrant flower bouquets that brighten up our interiors, or Echeveria which have been a highlight of mosaic culture, while Sedums are essential for green roofs... We could also mention the friendly Sempervivum, which are part of our spontaneous flora despite their exotic appearance, and many others.

Aeoniums have a family resemblance that allows for easy identification. This is the case with 'Garnet', which shares the same parents as 'Zwartkin' and therefore has a certain family resemblance... American breeder Jack Catlin crossed the very flat and wide Aeonium tabuliforme from the Canary Islands, which is easily recognizable, with the almost black-leaved variety A. arboreum 'Zwartkop' (or 'Schwartzkopf' in German). One of the three plants did not survive, but the other two produced 'Zwartkin' and 'Garnet', which was introduced to the market in 1995.
This Aeonium 'Garnet' has foliage that is less dark than 'Zwartkop' and leans more towards red, hence its name "grenat" in French. The original green colour of the leaves, as they appear in winter due to lack of light, progressively turns more and more red-purple as the sunlight intensifies, leaving only the green centre of the rosettes. These bicoloured tones are particularly aesthetic and are further enhanced when short flowering stems appear from April to June. These stems bear small star-shaped golden yellow flowers in clusters, which strongly contrast with the foliage. The decorative effect of 'Garnet' is then at its peak, making it a beautiful choice for pots on balconies or terraces. After flowering, some of the stems may wither, but new ones will form, filling in the gaps.
Smaller than 'Zwartkop', 'Garnet' reaches a maximum height of 1m (3ft 4in) when planted in the ground, often staying around 60-80cm, influenced by the compactness genes of Aeonium tabuliforme. It forms a small branching clump, making it suitable for pot cultivation, allowing it to be sheltered in a well-lit frost-free area during winter, as hardiness is not one of its qualities... 'Garnet' can tolerate occasional frost around 0°C (32 °F), which limits its planting possibilities to a few privileged areas, preferably in sheltered locations, or by adding the protection of a non-woven cover in case of serious temperature drops. Adaptable to various soil types, tolerating pH levels from 5 to 8 approximately, it mainly fears excess moisture and therefore requires very well-drained soil. It can thrive in poor and sandy soils, making it perfectly suited to climate change and easy to cultivate in pots. It only requires occasional watering, making sure to let the soil dry out well between waterings, and of course, it prefers a very sunny exposure.

Aeoniums form a group of succulent plants that are visually stunning with their graphic shapes and perfectly geometric rosettes of overlapping leaves. Their low hardiness is compensated by their ability to withstand dry conditions, making them easy to cultivate in pots. 'Garnet' can be planted under the protection of a veranda in climates that are not too cold, where it can thrive away from frost alongside other frost-sensitive plants. You can then associate it with the famous Aloe vera, which grows very well in a veranda, forming a large clump with multiple offsets after a few years. You will appreciate having it on hand in case of burns, as its sap provides immediate relief from pain... For privileged climates that allow planting 'Garnet' in the ground, it would be advisable to create a dry bed composed of minerals and xerophytes, plants adapted to water scarcity. The genus Dasylirion is precious and rich in species, often relatively hardy, with a very graphic appearance, characterized by long slender leaves forming dense balls. The Cactaceae family is, of course, an inexhaustible source of inspiration, with its countless species often displaying astonishing patterns, combining the pads of Opuntia with the candle-like columns of Vatricania guentheri or the famous "mother-in-law's cushion" (Echinocactus grusonii).