Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ (Black Rose)

If you are looking to add height and color variation to your succulent gardens, Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ is the plant for you. Planted in clusters of three of more, this shrub-like succulent with large, deep-burgundy rosettes add the perfect contrast to most other succulent that are in shades of cool greens and blues.

‘Zwartkop’ has long slender stems that grow 3-4 feet tall and are topped with several glossy rosettes that are 6-8 inches across. When planted in full sun, the leaves of the rosettes darken in color, to almost black. When planted in light shade they take on shades of reddish-purple, with emerald-green centers.

Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ is monocarpic, meaning that the mature rosettes bloom once and then die. It may take several years for a rosette to bloom, and when it does, long clusters of bright yellow star-shaped flowers appear, attracting beneficial pollinators to the garden. Fortunately, ‘Zwartkop’s rosettes mature at different rates, so you will be rewarded with a beautiful plant for many years to come. If over time the plant appears to be leggy, simply prune the stem to the desired height and after a while, a ring of tiny new rosettes will emerge at the place of the cut. Replant the rosette that you pruned to fill in bare areas of your garden.

This exceptional succulent was presented with “Award of Merit” by the Royal Horticultural Society for its beauty and outstanding landscape performance. It is cold hardy to 25-30°F, and the Sunset Climate Zones are 15-17, 20-24. In colder winter areas, protect from frost or move inside. Plant in full sun in cooler summer areas and light shade in hot summer areas. Provide moderate irrigation. ‘Zwartkop’ is a cool-season grower and will go dormant in summer to save water. It will perk back up again when the heat of summer has passed. An added bonus is that it is deer resistant.

We are currently growing Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ in 4.5” pots and 6 pack flats. Visit our website www.clearwatercolor.com to see photos of these handsome succulents. Also, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @clearwatercolornursery to get a peek at life around the nursery.