Aeonium Bronze Medal

Aeonium 'Bronze Medal' fascinates as much by its sculptural silhouette as by its very original colours. This variety of succulent plant has a slower growth than others but will reward the gardener's patience. Over time, it forms a miniature bush reminiscent of Japanese bonsai trees. The very geometric rosettes of fleshy leaves contribute to its highly ornamental look, further enhanced by its original colours. Green when they first appear, the leaves then turn to a golden bronze in the sun. Easy to grow in a pot, which allows it to be sheltered in winter, this superb plant can reasonably only be planted in the ground in a warm and very mild climate.

Aeoniums are succulent plants of the Crassulaceae family, rich in 30 genera and nearly 1400 species. Most often small, these plants have a metabolism unique in the plant kingdom that allows them to grow in very arid environments. Some grow in hot climates, like the popular Kalanchoe in our interiors, while others tolerate cold well, like Houseleek (Sempervivum). The 45 species of Aeonium are mostly native to the Canary Islands and have low hardiness. Their vegetation, formed of geometric rosettes, is truly characteristic, giving them all a family resemblance and a highly valuable ornamental characteristic.
'Bronze Medal' is a horticultural variety originating from the United States, whose parentage is not definitively defined. However, it is likely to come from a cross-breeding involving Aeonium sedifolium, a compact, long-lived species with small leaves resembling those of Sedum, hence its name. The other parent could be Aeonium goochiae, one of the few shade species, or it could be descended from Aeonium x occidentale, itself a hybrid, no one really knows...
With a slower growth than other varieties, 'Bronze Medal' matures into a sort of miniature tree 40 cm in height, forming a spread-out dome of 60 cm in width. The short, somewhat twisted branches are adorned with very geometric rosettes of leaves, with a diameter ranging approximately from 3 to 6 or 7 cm, which is noticeably less than other varieties. This miniature aspect is particularly decorative and also allows it to be easily grown in a pot to shelter it in winter, as frost can be fatal to it at -4°/-5°C, especially in the presence of humidity. The leaves form a sort of asymmetrical diamond, with the maximum width in the upper third, and rounded angles. Arranged in rosettes of almost perfect geometry, they resemble flowers, with a tight centre that gradually opens outward. Green when they emerge, evolving into a truly superb golden bronze in the sun. There is also a reddish midrib line that creates a pleasant and subtle contrast. The hearts of the rosettes remain green, giving them a two-tone appearance. In winter, as the light decreases, the plant loses its lovely golden colour to return to green, awaiting the following summer.
Mature plants produce a very interesting flowering, in the form of corymbs of small starry flowers. Approximately 2 cm in diameter, the flowers, ranging from light to more intense yellow depending on the exposure, have 9 slender, pointed petals. These bright corollas are additionally adorned with a cluster of erect stamens that give them volume.

With its natural bonsai look and magnificent golden colour, Aeonium 'Bronze Medal' is a top choice for succulent plant lovers. In a climate mild enough to accommodate it in the ground, you can associate it with other botanical beauties like the magnificent Queen Victoria's Agave with impeccable geometry, featuring rather light green leaves edged in white, arranged in a dense rosette. Elsewhere, you can grow your Aeonium in a pot to bring it indoors to a bright frost-free room in winter. You can bury the pot in the ground during the warmer season amidst a bed of exotic-looking plants that can withstand the cold. The famous Yucca rostrata, renowned for its fine, bluish foliage, is a fine example, hardy in many areas. This is also the case with Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), a perennial that forms a clump of very fine leaves and will reward you in summer with sumptuous coral-red flower spikes. The Zigzag Aloe (Aloe striatula) is also an excellent choice to bring a touch of the exotic with its typical warm climate foliage and its bountiful yellow-orange tinged flowering.