Origin
Aeonium ‘Albovariegatum’ is a variegated mutation of Aeonium arboreum.
Known names
‘Albovariegatum’ (the most widely used horticultural name), Sempervivum arboreum var. albovariegatum Weston (1770), Sempervivum arboreum var. variegatum G. Don (1834), and Aeonium arboreum var. albovariegatum Berger (1930).
Creation date / Creator
According to Mellie Lewis’s historical research, this mutation may have appeared in England as early as the mid-seventeenth century in the collection of Mary Capel Somerset, Duchess of Beaufort.
History and origin
Aeonium ‘Albovariegatum’ occupies a special place in the history of variegated Aeoniums. Forms of variegated Aeonium arboreum were known long before today’s modern cultivars. Mellie Lewis traced a story in which the Duchess of Beaufort grew an Aeonium from Lusitania at Badminton; a broken branch was propagated and may subsequently have produced variegated growth. Weston published the name Sempervivum arboreum var. albovariegatum in 1770, and B. K. Boom established ‘Albovariegatum’ as a cultivar in Succulenta in 1959.
Botanical description
This shrub-form variegata retains the tree-like habit of Aeonium arboreum. Woody stems carry terminal rosettes of fleshy, spatulate-to-lanceolate leaves. The leaves usually display a broad green centre surrounded by cream-white to pale-yellow tissue. The amount of chlorophyll varies considerably between leaves and clones.
Seasonal colouring
In lower winter light, the rosette generally shows a green central area and pale lateral bands. Stronger light increases the contrast and may add faint pink tones to the outer tissue, although this remains subtler than in many modern cultivars.
‘Albovariegatum’ and ‘Luteovariegatum’
Historically, ‘Albovariegatum’ was associated with whiter variegation and ‘Luteovariegatum’ with yellower tones and redder margins. This distinction is not universally accepted; differences may reflect clones, growing conditions or variable expression. It is therefore preferable to preserve the question rather than assert that they are definitively separate cultivars.
A cultivar regarded as delicate
Despite its Aeonium arboreum ancestry, the variegated form is noticeably more delicate. Reduced chlorophyll may limit photosynthesis, growth and recovery after stress, although sensitivity also depends on the clone and cultivation conditions.
Growth and branching
Growth is usually rather slow. Once established, the plant can branch and form a small shrub with several rosettes. Old specimens are especially valuable because they take time to develop.
Light requirements
Bright light helps maintain compact growth and strong contrast, but this does not necessarily mean intense direct sun. Pale tissues can scorch easily, so gradual acclimatisation and protection during the hottest hours are advisable.
Rot and rescue by cuttings
If a stem begins to rot, remove the affected section promptly, cut back to completely healthy tissue, allow the cutting to callus and then attempt to root it. Prevention remains preferable because this cultivar can be difficult to recover.
Flowering
Like Aeonium arboreum, it may produce a terminal inflorescence with numerous small yellow flowers. The flowering rosette then dies, while lateral branches and other rosettes may continue growing.
Photographs
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