Some plants here have winter darkness. They mostly tend to be dark year-round, but are especially so during the winter months. During summer this Gymnocalycium baldianum 'Chin Cactus' is a very dark green, but this winter it was much darker and veering to chocolate colored as much as green. It bloomed really well last summer, but so far it has retained a pancake form and remains mostly a flat disc not too far above the soil level.
This Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' was relatively dark green last summer, but the winter clothes are pretty somber.
I purchased this under the name Jovibarba heuffelii hybrid but I think the name Jovibarba has been rolled into Sempervivums. That means it belongs to a group of plants with their own forum. It is a succulent though and probably my naturally darkest plant year round. In summer it develops a really nice combination of maroon purple with luminous emerald green for a base. Sheds the green during the winter.
Not all semps find summer conditions here - or winter either for that matter - an agreeable climate and can be tricky to keep alive. This one which was sold simply - as so many are - under the name 'Hen and Chicks' manages conditions here pretty well. I've seen single rosettes being sold as 'Hens'
. It has proved one not too difficult under my conditions. Always a bit dark, it turns a dark red during the winter.
Sempervivum 'Oddity' is another that manages the challenge of my climate conditions. It's really dark this winter, but with some active new growth on the horizon, it should be mostly green with some red touches before long.
