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AEONIUM Velour

GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
in Garden design
I have just been given this plant as a gift. I have worked in a garden where it was grown underglass all year. It is sitting on a south facing sill at the moment. I accept I may just have the enjoyment of it this summer as I don't have a greenhouse.
Perhaps I can bring it in as a houseplant in the autumn. If I put it out does it need a south facing pot in full sun? When is a good time to put it outside as late as May?
Your thoughts would be welcomed.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Sorry in wrong bit too late to move I think.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    It's too early to put outside. You need to wait until all risk of frost has passed, which varies depending on where you live. They have the best colour in full sun, but don't like baking heatwaves. We found that they can cope with full, south facing sun most of the time, but we would move ours into the shade during heatwaves.

    If you don't have a greenhouse, you could treat them as a houseplant during the Winter. We actually just lost all of ours this Winter. They were in an unheated greenhouse, which is normally fine, but a particularly cold spell in December meant the end for them.

    It's very easy to take cuttings, and I recommend you do. You just need to cut off one of the flowering stems, where it joins the trunk. Leave it 24-48 hours to callous over, and then plant it in a pot with very good drainage (and relatively poor, gritty/sandy compost, nothing too rich). 
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Similar to @KeenOnGreen A schwartzkoph in unheated GH as usual over winter for a number of years - this last winter saw it off. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @KeenOnGreen and @philippasmith2 Thankyou both I am sad but not suprised you have lost your Aeonium's this winter. I will take some cuttings thankyou for that advice. It was a present as I said and very welcome. It will stay in side for now where I can enjoy it. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    edited April 2023
    I’m quite surprised that mine has overwintered successfully in a cold porch. The leaves are now getting darker and darker as the sunlight gets stronger. It’s been green all winter otherwise. When you harden it off, gradually increase the amount of direct sunlight. Some of mine got scorched in May last year. Also, they can become top-heavy so a sturdy pot is needed!




  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @pitter-patter That looks really happy. When I have seen them in the past I did think they might get top heavy. One thought I did have do you need to pot them on regularly?
    Also if you have any tips on watering. Do you let it dry out? I'm realyy not sure. Thankyou.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    I’m not sure I’m the right person to answer your question, @GardenerSuze. I watered it rarely in the winter and in the summer I do let it dry out a bit, but not much. To be honest, I treat it the same as my pelargoniums. I’m not sure that helps. I’m not going to repot mine this year. That pot had other aeoniums in it last summer, but I’ve taken cutting from them and the remaining stems haven’t given me new shoots. This is how the pot looked in October, it is clear it has continued to grow.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @pitter-patter Thankyou very much that is all helpful information. Trying to explain how much you water something isn't easy. However I get what to do now. I can see a glimpse of your garden? It looks beautiful.Suze
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    I do like them and try my best to care for them, but sometimes I would put a pot in the border and forget about it. I think they are quite forgiving.

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
     @pitterpatter Love the plant combo!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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