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Names and Synonyms:Aeonium canariense viriginum, Sempervivum canariense
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Common Names:Giant Velvet Rose, Mint Saucer, Hen and Chicks Aeonium
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Family:Crassulaceae
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Origin:Canary Islands
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Size Label:1 Gallon
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Height:1-2'
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Width:1-2'
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Cold Tolerance:25 to 30°F; -3.9 to -1.1°C
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Heat Tolerance:High heat tolerance.
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Light Requirement:Light shade to half day full sun
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Water needs:Drought tolerant but looks better with some irrigation.
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Maintenance:Remove spent flower spikes. Remove and replant offsets as desired.
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Uses:Aeonium canariense virgineum can be used to create visual interest in containers, roof decks, lawn edges, borders, and even rock gardens. It is also an attractive contrast to cactus and dry grasses. Plants remain short and close to the ground and do not form long branch like many aeoniums. Leaves are covered with small hairs giving it a inviting fuzzy appearance. Aeoniums like to grow during winter months when moisture is more available. Many aeoniums go dormant during summer. Heads cup up and tighten.
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Propagation:Remove offsets and replant them. Seeds.
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Problems:Root rot in poor draining soils. Snails like to eat young leaves.
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Special notes:This medium-sized aeonium offsets profusely to form a mound of bright green (occasionally edged in red in bright sun) rosettes which are covered in small hairs. In spring, it sends up a flower spike of yellow blooms which lasts for several weeks. The yellow flowers attract butterflies. It is usually monocarpic and the blooming stem dies leaving behind seeds and many pups. It tends to spread laterally resembling a colony of large sempervivum - 'hens and chickens'. In its native habitat it grows on lava rock so it needs very good drainage.
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Aeonium canariense virgineum
1 Gallon $6.50
Aeonium canariense virgineum is a medium-sized aeonium prized for its soft velvety appearance, and profuse mounds of bright green rosettes covered in small hairs. In bright sun, these rosettes can form a red edge adding to its dramatic appearance.
