One of my facebook groups shared this photo today, the comment was "Just reading with interest somebody has managed to hybridise an Aeonium with a Sempervivum to create xSemponium, a brand new cold hardy intergeneric hybrid."

I'm asking them for more info, anyone know anything about it? I would really love to learn more! I don't know what publication that is from, hopefully someone in here recognises it.




edit: apparently it'll go on sale at the Chelsea Flower Show in May (UK)

Okay, more info, the publication is the most recent quarterly journal from the British Cactus and Succulent Society.

The Semponium is Sempervivum "Green Ice" crossed with Aeonium Smith I x Aeonium "Cyclops" by Surreal Succulents

Green Ice:



Cyclops:



link to website: https://surrealsucculents.co.u...

Very cool.

I'm getting semps that look like Aeoniums even without making the cross!

I'd still be skeptical how hardy these are!

Kevin

Yes, they haven't released any zone info, but it's also likely they don't know yet. I'd be curious if they exhibit the same growth patterns though, I would love a tree form cold hardy rosette!

Indeed, very cool. I'm with Kevin, skeptical that the intergeneric hybrid will be hardy. In fact, I wonder about crossing a tropical genus with one that MUST experience cold winter dormancy, it might not be a winning cross in the long run.

Thea,
Sounds interesting! The picture looks much more like an Aeonium than a sempervivum. Hard to believe it was green ice that bridged the gap, as I understand sempervivums are not even remotely related to aeoniums. In the old days they assumed the two had some relation because of the similarity of form, but genetic testing proved that the similarities were a result of convergent evolution. All things considered I'd love to have one!
-Sol Z

GeologicalForms said:Thea,
Sounds interesting! The picture looks much more like an Aeonium than a sempervivum. Hard to believe it was green ice that bridged the gap, as I understand sempervivums are not even remotely related to aeoniums. In the old days they assumed the two had some relation because of the similarity of form, but genetic testing proved that the similarities were a result of convergent evolution. All things considered I'd love to have one!
-Sol Z

If I somehow ever get my hands on any (and I'm talking to friends over there already) I will for sure put you at the top of the list if I can get more than one!

Thea, that is so interesting. I also wonder if it is really winter hardy just looking at the leaves. Bet it wouldn't last in our Pacific Northwest cold, wet winters. Wonder if it would remain hardy if kept dry on a covered deck?

Thanks Thea,
All the more reason for me to root for you to get one!
-Sol

Not all aeonium grow tall in nature, yet seems people favor the ones with a tall stem.
I have seen some species just grow at rock level.
Some of these are often 1ft in diameter or even bigger.

There are nice colonies in some places, but with huge rosettes, just can't find those photos of mine, just this solitary one. The colonies were looking much more impressive.
This is in Tenerife, wild plant.

Paleo, what a wonderful thing to find growing in the wild. Where did you take this photo?

valleylynn said:Paleo, what a wonderful thing to find growing in the wild. Where did you take this photo?

Very much indeed, in Anaga, Tenerife.
Wish I had the photos with the colonies on the rocks of the same species.

I also wish you had that photo. Sounds amazing.

Crazy! but cool

I just found this thread!!!

I can't wait to get my hands on one!!!

I wonder how hardy they will be?

The flower show was cancelled, so they still haven't made a formal announcement about it. They do plan to though, and said they have several surprising new plants to share. I don't know if any others of them are semp crosses, but I'll share if they are!

Thank you for the update Thea.

wow Thea that is exciting!!
Although yes makes sense it may not be cold hardy to same zones as semps but a USDA zone 7 would be just fine (I know I'm selfish) :tongue_smilie:
Also if it got that large wow that would be amazing :hurray:

I just received the journal of the Sedum Society and they are very dubious about this hybrid as it "shows no characteristics of the Sempervivum".

Odd too that they chose 'Green Ice' as it is a little hard to get good seed set. My best crop is this year, where I got ~40. That is had-crossed and selfed.

Kevin