The Journey of Anthurium Ace of Spades: From Mystery to Icon
In 1983, Dennis Rotolante founded Silver Krome Gardens (SKG) in Homestead, Florida, a nursery that would become renowned for its plant innovations. The story of the Anthurium Ace of Spades began when Dennis received a batch of mystery seeds from his best friend, Thomas Fennel III, owner of a neighbouring nursery, The Orchid Jungle.
These seeds carried an intriguing origin. Thomas’s father, Thomas Fennel II, had collected an extraordinary Anthurium during his travels in South America. This plant, with its round, dark leaves, stood out as a rarity whilst growing in a tree. He took it back to US and one day he discovered the plant producing berries, he hypothesized that it had self-pollinated due to the absence of other Anthuriums in the vicinity. Sharing Rotolante’s passion for horticulture, Tom III entrusted him with about ten seeds from this unique specimen.
Dennis nurtured these seeds, and the resulting plants exhibited striking diversity in colour and form. Among the seedlings, one stood out—a plant with large, velvety, spade-shaped leaves and an almost ethereal darkness. This exceptional specimen became known as the Anthurium Ace of Spades, its name inspired by the resemblance of its dramatic foliage to the ace of spades in a deck of playing cards.
Of the ten seedlings, Dennis kept this standout plant, which he considered unparalleled in beauty. The other seedlings were shared among friends, but none matched the allure of the Ace of Spades, which has since captured the hearts of collectors worldwide.
Surviving Hurricane Andrew
The Ace of Spades nearly disappeared in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida. Tragically, the original jungle-collected mother plant was lost, along with much of Rotolante’s collection. However, the Ace of Spades survived because Rotolante had brought it home for safekeeping before the storm struck.
Making Its Way to the Public
In 1988, SKG released the first batch of seed-grown Ace of Spades plants to the public, delighting collectors. The plant briefly entered tissue culture production in the early 2000s, allowing for larger-scale propagation. At that time, it was sold wholesale for as little as $4.50.
The Plant Boom of 2020
During the plant boom of 2020, fuelled by social media and increased interest in rare houseplants, the Ace of Spades re-emerged as a sought-after treasure. With tissue culture propagation halted, prices skyrocketed, with individual plants selling for hundreds of dollars.
The Rarest Variant: Dark Form
Among the most coveted varieties is the Ace of Spades Dark Form, a version with darker foliage and muted vein coloration. Contrary to popular belief, the "Dark Form" moniker doesn’t stem from its leaf colour alone but from its distinctive vein patterns. This form is incredibly rare, with Tezula Plants reporting that fewer than 5% of self-pollinated Ace of Spades seedlings exhibit the characteristics of the Dark Form. Its rarity has made it a premium collector’s item, often priced in the thousands.
The Lost Mother Plant
With the original jungle-sourced mother plant lost to history, the Ace of Spades' precise origins remain a mystery. It is a poignant reminder of the irreplaceable treasures found in nature. As plant enthusiasts continue to celebrate and propagate this iconic hybrid, one wonders: could its original ancestor still be hiding in the rainforests, waiting to be rediscovered?
Preserving Legacy
At Happiest Plants, we were thrilled to acquire a clone of the original and the very first Anthurium Ace of Spades directly from William Rotolante, son of Dennis Rotolante, the plant’s original creator. William continues his father’s legacy at Silver Krome Gardens, embodying the second generation of dedication to rare plant cultivation.
Owning this piece of botanical history feels like holding a living fragment of the Ace of Spades’ storied past, connecting us to its origin and preserving its significance for future generations of plant enthusiasts.
The Anthurium Ace of Spades symbolizes the intersection of human ingenuity and nature's wonders. From its humble beginnings in a Florida nursery to its status as a collector's gem, its journey is a testament to the enduring beauty and mystery of the plant world.