Among Jack Catlin ‘s horticultural creations , some have left a lasting mark on the history of Aeoniums . This is particularly true of Aeonium ‘ Blushing Beauty ‘, a hybrid that has become a global benchmark thanks to its elegance, vigor, and magnificent color variations.
As with several great historical cultivars, the exceptional genetics of ‘Blushing Beauty’ has also given rise to several variegata mutations that are particularly sought after by collectors.
In this article, we will offer you as complete a list as possible of the different variegata cultivars resulting from the mutation of Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ .
As with all mutations of Aeonium , new variations regularly appear in private collections and among certain specialist growers. This list is therefore subject to change. Please feel free to send us your observations, photographs, or any new names that appear to enrich this database.
Before discovering its variegated mutations, it is interesting to look back at the history and characteristics of this remarkable hybrid.
Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’: a major creation by Jack Catlin
Origin and history
Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ is a hybrid created by the famous American breeder John William « Jack » Catlin in 1984.
It comes from the cross between: Aeonium canariense var. canariense × Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’
It therefore belongs to the same genetic lineage as two other major creations of Jack Catlin:
- Aeonium ‘Velour’
- Aeonium ‘Plum Purdy’
These three hybrids share the same genetic heritage but each express different characteristics, particularly in terms of rosette shape, vigor and color intensity.
Famous names
- Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ : official name given by Jack Catlin.
- Shao Shao
- Shao Xiu
- Shaoxiu
These alternative names are mainly used in Asian markets, particularly Chinese.
Botanical description of Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’
Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ is a shrubby hybrid forming a dense and branching plant.
Unlike ‘Zwartkop’, which can sometimes develop a more upright and less branched growth habit, ‘Blushing Beauty’ naturally forms a more compact and balanced shape.
Its thick stems bear relatively dense rosettes composed of slightly fleshy leaves, sometimes described as mildly pubescent.
The leaves are generally green, with reddish coloration gradually developing on the areas exposed to sunlight.
Under strong light, combined with mild water or heat stress, the plant can develop particularly spectacular shades ranging from deep pink to purplish red.
This color transformation is the origin of its name: “Blushing Beauty”, referring to a beauty whose cheeks are turning red.
Main Characteristics
Growth Habit
- Shrubby, branching growth habit.
- Forms clusters of multiple rosettes.
- More compact growth than Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’.
Foliage
- Green to bronze-green leaves.
- Red to pink coloration under strong light.
- Dense, well-balanced rosettes.
Flowering
Flowering is relatively uncommon in this cultivar.
When it occurs, the plant produces a large inflorescence typical of Aeonium, composed of numerous small yellow flowers.
As with many Aeonium, flowering generally results in the death of the terminal rosette concerned, but secondary branches often allow the plant to continue growing.
Cultivation
Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ is considered an easy cultivar to grow.
It prefers:
- bright light to encourage the development of its colors;
- a well-draining growing medium;
- an active growth period during autumn, winter, and spring;
- protection from severe frost.
Catalogue of Variegated Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ Cultivars
Known names: ‘Athena’ — the most widely used name, 雅典娜, 雅典娜法师.
Creation / commercial release date: 2020 (China).
ATHENA YELLOW
Athena Mutation
Known names: ‘Princess’ — the most widely used international name, 香妃, ‘Xiangfei’, ‘Xiang Fei’, ‘Perfume Concubine’, ‘Fragrant Concubine’, ‘Fragrant Imperial Concubine’, ‘Perfume’, ‘Pasha’.
Origin: Mutation of ‘Athena’.
Creation / commercial release date: 2021 (China).
BIG BANG PLUS
Known names: ‘Big Bang Plus’ — the most widely used name, ‘BigBang Plus’, ‘Bigbang Plus’, ‘Blushing Beauty Big Bang’, ‘Blushing Beauty BigBang’.
Creation / commercial release date: Documented in circulation as early as March 27, 2021. The mutation was probably discovered in 2020 or early 2021, but the exact date remains undocumented.
Known names: ‘Green Lemon’ — the most widely used international name, ‘Qingmeng’, 青檬, 青檬法师, 韶羞绿锦. The names ‘Shao Shy Jin’, ‘Shao Shy Covering Wheel Brocade’, and ‘Shao Shy Green Brocade’ are older descriptive translations. ‘Qingli’ appears to be an incorrect transcription of 青檬.
Creation date: 2018 (China).
QUEEN NAGA
It is the oldest documented variegated mutation of ‘Blushing Beauty’.
Known names: Aeonium ‘Naga Queen’, Aeonium ‘Queen Naga’, ‘Na Jia Queen’, ‘Najia Queen’, 娜迦女王, and 蛇女娜迦. The Chinese name 娜迦女王 translates directly as “Naga Queen,” while “Queen Naga” is a reversed form that emerged in Western trade.
Creation / commercial release date: 2017 (China).
Known names: ‘Loki’ — the most widely used international name, ‘Luoshen’, ‘Luo Shen’, 洛神, 洛神法师. ‘Lord God’ is an incorrect translation.
Creation date: 2018 (China).
Known names: ‘Pink Witch’ — international name, ‘Pink Witch Variegated’, ‘Pink Witch Variegata’, 粉女巫 (Fěn Nǚwū), and 粉女巫法师.
Creation date: 2020.
Known names: ‘Pink Witch Silk’ — main name, ‘Pink Fairy’, ‘White Yarn’, 粉女巫拉丝锦.
Creation / commercial release date: 2022 (China).
PINK LADY
Known names: ‘Pink Lady’ — international name, ‘Pink Lady Variegated’, ‘Pink Lady Variegata’, 粉女郎 (Fěn Nǚláng), 粉女郎法师, and 粉女郎法師.
Origin: Mutation of ‘Pink Witch’.
Creation / commercial release date: Asian selection by an unknown breeder, which appeared before 2023. The earliest precisely dated reference found under this name is from November 17, 2023. A Chinese video dated December 14, 2023 already shows a very large specimen, indicating that the cultivar must have originated earlier.
PINK HAZE
Known names: ‘Pink Haze’ — the only confirmed individual name, ‘Pink Haze Variegated’, and ‘Pink Haze Variegata’.
Origin: Mutation of ‘Pink Lady’.
Creation / commercial release date: Probably a Chinese mutation by an unknown breeder, which appeared before April 2025. The earliest precisely dated commercial listing found is from April 13, 2025, in Portugal. The exact date of origin remains unknown.
Known names: ‘Riverstones’, ‘River Stones’, 雨花石 (Yǔhuāshí, meaning “flowered rain stone” or Yuhua Stone), ‘Green Witch’ and 绿女巫 (Lǜ Nǚwū, meaning “Green Witch”), ‘White Phoenix’, 白凤, ‘Rain Flower’, ‘Coloured Rain Winstorm’, ‘Pebbles’.
Creation / commercial release date: 2020 (China).
Known names: ‘Tesla’, ‘Tesla Variegated’, ‘Tesla Variegata’, 特斯拉, and 特斯拉法師.
Creation date: 2024.
PINK WITCH MIDDLE
Pink Witch mutation
NIGHT RAKSHASA
Known names: ‘Night Rakshasa’ — the most widely used international name; 夜罗刹, traditional form 夜羅剎; possibly ‘Ye Luocha’, a transliteration of the Chinese name. No other reliable synonyms have currently been identified.
Creation / commercial release date: 2025 (China).
Known names: ‘Peach Blossom’ — the most widely used name, ‘Peach Blossom Village’, ‘Peach Blossom Cove’, 桃花坞. ‘Peach Blossom Stone’ and 桃花石 are sometimes associated with this cultivar, but this synonymy remains to be confirmed.
Creation / commercial release date: Commercialized in 2024 (China).
Known names: ‘Verna’ — the official and most widely used name, 维娜 (Weina), formerly known as 韶羞黄锦 (Shaoxiu Huang Jin). It is also found under the incorrect commercial spellings ‘Vina’, ‘Venra’, ‘Vernar’, ‘Varna’, and ‘Wiener’.
Creation / commercial release date: 2017 (China).
‘SHAO HUA’ (‘PINK WITCH YELLOW MIDDLE‘)
Known names: ‘Shaohua’ — recommended primary name, 韶华 (Sháohuá), ‘Pink Witch Yellow Middle’, ‘Pink Witch Middle Yellow Form’, ‘Glorious Youth’, ‘Younger’, and 冰美人 (Bīng Měirén, meaning “Ice Beauty”). The spelling 绍华 is also encountered, but appears to be a variant or an incorrect transcription of 韶华.
Creation / commercial release date: 2022 (China).
Known names: ‘Flaming Mountain’ — the most widely used name. No other reliable names have currently been identified.
Origin: Mutation of ‘Pink Witch Yellow Middle’.
Creation / commercial release date: 2023.
PINK WITCH YELLOW MIDDLE BIGBANG
Created in 2026.
Known names: ‘Queen Nina’ — the most widely used international name, 妮娜皇后. No other reliable synonyms have currently been identified.
Origin: Mutation of ‘Pink Witch Yellow Middle – Shao Hua’, with a slightly redder coloration than the latter.
Commercial release date: 2026 (China).
RED SUN
Known names: ‘Red Sun Variegated.
Creation / commercial release date: 2025 (China).
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