- Author: Jeanine McAnaney
This is the season for many plants such as aeoniums to send out flowers. This can make gardeners be quite sad. Why, you may ask?
According toWikipedia, “Monocarpic plants are those that flower and set seeds only once, and then die. The term is derived from Greek (mono, "single" +karpos, "fruit" or "grain"), and was first used by Alphonse deCandolle.” This has led to the common term among gardeners of the term ‘Death Bloom.' I would like to challenge this perspective and say, I personally call it an ‘Opus.' This incredible bloom is this plants whole life's work. A beautiful piece of art and renewal, for mostmonocarpic plants leave behind pups or seeds to continue to grow after the parent plant dies. Gardeners can enjoy the blooms on theaeoniums that last for weeks, pollinators such as bees flock to the flowers and buzz happily, so I celebrate the beauty. (See photo #1)
On a practical note, when one of myaeoniums finishes their bloom, I cut off the stalk and leave what's left. I've been blessed to see the next year, the clean stalk put out more plants. (see photo #2)
I leave you with one more quote: “Gardening — indoors or out — really is the slowest of the performing arts. Plant something, wait, hope. The anticipation, for me, is almost as important as the performance.” This is a quote by Henry Homeyer is a UNH Master Gardener.
I agree with you. I have several varieties in my yard: large green ones, the really dark medium size Aeoniums, and several really large ones (Black Rose or Zwartkop?).
I love the cone shaped flower stalks that pop up come early to late spring. They're so bright and cheery and like you said attracts all sorts of pollinators.
I have not cut down last year's flower stalks (there are three large ones that I still find enchanting. The browning flowers still retaining its cone shaped stature in my garden, I find still giving an aesthetic beauty and interest in my backyard.
What do you do with the dried up flowers? Do you compost them? I have not tried growing them from seeds, but can you?
This plant is so forgiving. Even after being munched on by my chicken, knocked down, broken off by mistake, it's come back again and again. And it is drought tolerant to boot!
Have you ever seen a variegated aeonium the green with yellow or white stripes? They are a beaut!
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your post and looking at the photos.
Thank you.
Lorenza