Aeonium arboreum Cornish Tribute

Aeonium arboreum 'Cornish Tribute' is a horticultural hybrid with magnificent aesthetics. This small succulent plant forms a perfect dome of imbricate rosettes with a very graphic geometric appearance. Closely packed together, these rosettes turn red in the sun while maintaining a green centre, creating a superb contrast. Almost twice as wide as it is tall, this small Aeonium does not exceed 25cm (9.8in) in height, resembling a hedgehog with its almost impenetrable bicoloured foliage. Frost-sensitive, it needs to be protected during winter in most parts of France or in milder climates. Resistant to drought, it forms very attractive decorative pots.

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

Aeoniums have a family resemblance that makes them easy to identify. With 'Cornish Tribute', we have a fairly typical hybrid. Obtained by the Penberth nursery in the United Kingdom (Claire Batten and Jeff Rowe), this Aeonium finished in the top 20 finalists of the new plant competition at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show 2012 organized by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). This major event in the world of ornamental plants crowns deserving varieties, and 'Cornish Tribute' is one of them, with its remarkable aesthetic qualities.
Derived from a cross between Aeonium simsii, a small montane species known to be the hardiest, and another species, 'Cornish Tribute' remains sensitive to frost like most others... Its originality lies instead in the colour of its foliage, which is not purple or black like many others, but adorns itself with a beautiful reddish-orange shade. Tending to turn green in winter due to reduced brightness, it quickly regains its colours in the warmer season, with the rosette centres remaining green while the outer leaves turn an intense red that deepens as the season progresses. This small Aeonium then forms a very geometric dome 20 to 25cm (7.9 to 9.8in) in height and 45cm (17.7in) in width, composed of a multitude of bicolored rosettes clustered together, resembling a true vegetal hedgehog! With a relatively fast growth, this plant produces new rosettes abundantly throughout the warm season.
In the milder climates it is advisable to plant this Aeonium in full sun, in poor and well-drained soil, as it will not tolerate having its roots in water during winter! It may even be necessary to protect it with a non-woven fabric if the temperature drops a few degrees below 0°C (32 °F). This applies to the mildest zones in France, as elsewhere, it will be imperative to overwinter it in a frost-free room with as much light as possible. Fortunately, like many other species, it is resistant to drought and lends itself particularly well to container cultivation due to its compact habit. You will then obtain a superb decorative pot to place on your balcony or terrace, or even in the garden by burying the pot in a bed during the season to create the illusion of planting in open ground!

Aeoniums are a delight for succulent plant enthusiasts, and this small hybrid will enchant them with its geometric foliage that approaches perfection. Planted in a pot, it will blend perfectly into a contemporary environment, where the purity of its forms will compensate for the rarity of its flowering. In climates mild enough to accommodate it in open ground, such as on the French Riviera, it can be a part of a dry garden, associated with the pads of the Opuntias, some of which are hardier than it. In colder climates during winter, there is nothing to prevent you from "cheating" and placing its pot in open ground to create the illusion that it is growing there, as is done in some botanical gardens. You can then create an exotic scene by adding plants that are hardier than it, which can withstand winter outdoors, such as the famous Yucca rostrata,, or Cylindropuntia imbricata, even more cold-resistant and remarkable for its unique graphic habit. The remarkable Aloe striatula, probably the hardiest of the genus, will also be a perfect companion.