It is an Aeonium. I will curl into a ball as we go into winter, as it will be dormant then (or semi-dormant, if you still water it). It is possible you have A. canariense. Time will tell. =)

I thought most aeoniums were winter growers. I don't really know much about them since I don't grow them because Texas is too hot and then too cold. I could be very mistaken. It is a plant I only hear about in passing.

Brain fart, Mara! Thanks for catching that! Mine have been semi-balled up for the summer. I must've gotten too much sun today....YES, the are winter growers, summer dormant!! Yikes, slap me!!

LOL. I was thinking , Who am I to question RoRo . She probably has 30 aeoniums in that huge collection of hers.

I love aeoniums, but apparently they don't love SW FL summers. I am jealous of the beauties I see on this forum! Yours are great.

I purchased 3 small Aeonium schwarzkopf and planted them in a rock garden (raised island). I thought they would be shaded by a palm. They, too, shriveled to sticks. I had to leave this summer for 2 months and didn't get them removed. Good thing! Here's what I found yesterday on a 3 inch stick:

a.shau - I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I just wanted to point out that even with a severe reaction to the summer heat, your Aeonium can rebound. Seeing your plants makes me want to try again - with more a appropriate environment!

This post was edited by Crenda on Wed, Sep 18, 13 at 22:53

Maybe they will like your winters more than your summers. They made it through the wet hot floridian summer. that is amazing.

I think you are right, Mara. My dad always said I was a hard head - I'm going to try again. While my friends bring their plants in for the winter, I'll bring some in for the summer. I should have known to do this before.

And to my friends out there who are dealing with drought, I am sorry to say I am really sick of rain.

haha no worries. i always love seeing plants make it back from near obliteration! go zwartkopf! we have lots of aeoniums planted in the back as well but i am worried with the winter coming up, because here in sf it rains a lot during the "winter," and even though that's the season for aeoniums' growth, i think that the water will be too much. i have been thinking of how to protect them when the time comes. maybe i'll plant an umbrella. :) in the meantime i have really enjoyed watching this aeonium develop and learn about its odd "behaviors"

You should always question me, Mara, as I appreciate that. I must've been in a daydream when I posted. I do have quite a few Aeonium here (maybe not 30 different ones, but that many plants). Many of mine do not ball up or go dormant, but some are doing that right now.

I'm sure your 'Zwartkop' will do just fine in Florida, Crenda!

Here are a few of mine (click for larger view):
{{gwi:646180}}

Brain farts abound! I have the tag in my log book right here by my computer. It's spelled correctly there. Must've been my inner German typing. LOL