Aeonium ‘Fiesta’: Origin, History and Characteristics

Origin:
Derived from a spontaneous mutation of Aeonium #13 (see the source for more information).
Aeonium #13 holds particular importance in the history of variegated aeoniums, as it is also part of the lineage involved in the creation of Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras’.

Known names:
‘Fiesta’ (official name), ‘Festival’, ‘Carnaval’, ‘Carnival’, 嘉年华, Jia Nian Hua, ‘Morning Cloud’.

Creation date / Breeder:
Created in 2011 by Renee O’Connell (United States).

Botanical description

Aeonium ‘Fiesta’ is a shrubby variegated Aeonium derived from a spontaneous mutation of Aeonium #13.

This cultivar is distinguished by a particularly interesting color progression combining three main colors:

green;
yellow (or light green with cream tones);
red.

This combination gives it a highly dynamic appearance, with foliage that changes progressively as the leaves mature and according to growing conditions.

Progressive and spectacular coloration

At the center of the rosette, young leaves are generally predominantly green.

The central part of the leaf remains green, while the outer areas become lighter and may develop yellow-green tones.

As the leaf ages, red coloration gradually appears. It usually begins at the leaf tips before progressively spreading across the leaf blade.

This progression creates a remarkable contrast between the different generations of leaves present on the same rosette:

young leaves remain green and bright;
intermediate leaves display yellow tones;
older leaves develop more or less intense red tones.

The intensity of this coloration depends strongly on several environmental factors, particularly light, temperatures, and the level of water stress.

Growth and cultivation

Aeonium ‘Fiesta’ is a relatively vigorous cultivar that is easy to propagate.

Its main horticultural characteristics are:

Growth: fairly fast;
Offset production: good;
Overall vigor: good.

It can, however, be somewhat sensitive to excess moisture. Under unfavorable conditions, particularly during prolonged wet periods or major temperature fluctuations, it may suddenly lose a large part of its foliage.

This reaction is generally not linked to any particular weakness of the plant, but rather to a physiological sensitivity found in some shrubby variegated aeoniums.

Like all aeoniums, it is also sensitive to frost and prolonged subzero temperatures.