Chelsea Week Special - Name Our Latest Aeonium Hybrid
A brand new Aeonium cultivar. One name. One winner. Could it be you?
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
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Name Our Latest Aeonium
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Win a £200 Gift Card
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This Aeonium has been bred by Daniel Michael of Surreal Succulents. Over the years, he has bred well over 30 different varieties of Aeoniums and Echeverias, and created the world's first cross-genetic species between Aeonium and Sempervivum, known as x Semponium.
He won the illustrious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year award in 2022 with the groundbreaking x Semponium 'Destiny' - but as we return to Chelsea once again, he has gone back to his roots in Aeonium breeding, believing there is still more work to be done in creating hardier, more compact varieties within the genus.
A Legacy of Breeding, Over a Decade in the Making
Daniel's very first hybrid was created back in 2012. Aeonium 'Phoenix Flame', which is believed to be one of the hardiest dark-leafed Aeoniums on the planet. Since then, he has continued pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved within the genus, selecting for stronger colours, tighter growth habits, improved hardiness, and plants that hold their beauty for longer throughout the year in the UK climate.
Two years ago, he released the incredibly successful Aeonium 'Dynamite', which has shown an amazing ability to not only survive cooler, wet winters, but also extreme summer heat. It has also displayed far less summer dormancy than most Aeoniums, bred to look at its very best almost all year round.
Something Very Special - Meet the Sister Seedling to 'Dynamite'
Now Daniel is releasing something very special, and he needs your help. This new cultivar is the sister seedling to Aeonium 'Dynamite', and one of you lucky people will have the opportunity to give it its official name.
Bright green with the same explosive offsetting ability as 'Dynamite', this Aeonium has already been trialled outdoors and has come through one of Cornwall's most extreme winters. Reaching around 10–12cm tall, it naturally forms tight clusters much like an Echeveria, staying vibrantly green throughout the year. It thrives in full sun or part shade - and we are even trialling it in full shade, where it is already showing fantastic potential.
Perfect for pots, planters, and modern garden displays.
This brand new Aeonium has been growing outdoors since last summer without protection, what a tough fella
How Does It Compare to 'Dynamite'?
Aeonium ‘Dynamite’
Dark, dramatic near-black rosettes. Proven hardy through multiple UK winters.
The New Hybrid
Bright, vibrant green and even more compact. Survived Cornwall’s most extreme winter without any protection.
Meet the Parents
The new hybrid is a deliberate cross of Aeonium aizoon - with its compact form and natural hardiness, and Aeonium 'Cornish Rose' - for its impressive, cupped rosettes.
Aeonium aizoon
Seed parent. A low growing species with a natural compact form, and an exceptional hardiness which is passed to its offspring.
Aeonium 'Cornish Rose'
Pollen parent. A dark hybrid with spoon shaped leaves and an upright habit. Brings vigour and form to the plant.
'There is still more work to be done, and this plant is proof of that.' Daniel Michael, Surreal Succulents
Here's What You Could Win
We will select our five favourite names, and then the final vote goes to all of you. The winner will receive:
- A special signed Surreal Succulents certificate featuring your chosen plant name
- A £200 voucher to spend online or at our nursery in Penzance, Cornwall
- The very first plant, delivered to you one week before its official release to the world
So come on, get creative. Help give this very special plant a name worthy of its future. Submit your suggestion by filling in the form below.
Competition rules
All entries must be submitted through the official Surreal Succulents website entry form. Social media comments or messages will not count as official entries.
• Each person may submit up to 5 name suggestions.
• All entries will be time and date recorded when submitted.
• Duplicate names may not be accepted and priority will go to the earliest official website submission.
• Names must not contain offensive language, copyrighted names or trademarks.
• Surreal Succulents reserves the right to reject unsuitable entries and make the final naming decision.
• Our 5 favourite names will be selected and then opened up to a public vote.
• Name entries close on May 26th 2026.
• Public voting for the final 5 names will run for one week.
• The winning name will be officially announced on June 1st 2026.
• The winner will receive:
- A signed Surreal Succulents certificate featuring the chosen plant name
- A £200 Surreal Succulents voucher
- The very first plant before official release
By entering the competition you agree that Surreal Succulents may use your submitted name and first name for promotional purposes relating to the competition.
