Comparing Aeonium 'Velour', 'Blushing Beauty' & 'Madeira Rose'

Although different, these three cultivars can look very similar at certain times of the year. We often come across questions regarding the correct identification of these cultivars so we created this post to compare and help distinguish the differences between the three.

Lets start with Aeonium 'Velour' & 'Blushing Beauty':

'Velour' and 'Blushing Beauty' are both hybrids created by Jack Catlin and are the result of a cross between Aeonium canariense x Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'. Both cultivars are sibling plants selected from the same batch of hybrid seedlings.

Both cultivars are relatively large growing reaching around 50cm x 50cm.

The foliage of both cultivars are covered in small glandular hairs which give the leaves a pubescent and slight velvety texture. This trait is derived from the Aeonium canariense part parentage which also has extremely soft pubescent foliage. This is also where the name 'Velour' is derived, due to the soft foliage feeling like velour.

This velvety texture tends to be more obvious on the new and young leaves and as the plant matures the foliage tends to become much smoother.

Aeonium 'Velour'

'Velour' no doubt develops the darkest colours and will turn deep tones of purple throughout the summer months and under ideal conditions.

Throughout the cooler months the rosettes are predominantly green in colour with consistent shades of purple on the outer leaves (below)

Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty'

'Blushing Beauty' is overall the greenest of the three. Typically green in colour for the majority of the year, plants will only shows the tendency to "Blush" shades red and mauve when exposed to the change of seasons, fluctuations in temperature and when under extreme stress.

As the plants mature they often become less prone to developing good colour unless severely stressed or grown hard. Plants receiving too much water and shade will also have the tendency to remain green all year.

Aeonium 'Maderia Rose'

‘Madeira Rose’ is from different origins and is a beautiful hybrid created by Renee O’Connell from California.

'Madeira Rose' is the result of a cross between a specimen known as Aeonium hybrida ‘BB II’ and Aeonium hybrida ‘Coronado Lime’.

* We speculate this hybrid to involve ‘Blushing Beauty’ (which is perhaps what the part parent hybrida 'BB II' indicates?) as to a large degree 'Madeira Rose' shows close resemblance in form, rosette shape and colours of 'Blushing Beauty'.

'Madeira Rose' is a stunning development and will show a huge transition in colour throughout the year. Over the cooler months plants are generally much lighter in colour and will show distinct tones of apple and olive green.

 

Then over the warmer months and with good sun exposure plants will transition through vibrant shades of copper, bronze, purple and red.

Even when almost pure green in colour the leaf tips of 'Madeira Rose' will show a small degree of colour, which can help distinguish it from the other two cultivars. This is most noticeable in the very centre of the rosette.