Lovingly called “semps”,
sempervivums or hens and chicks are happy little succulents, perfect for
groundcovers, planters and patio table centrepieces.
These low growing perennials range from less than one centimeter to more than ten centimetres in diametre, and have a range of over 60 species. Part of their charm is their colour range, in shades of light to dark greens, red, purple and grey. Semps can withstand temperature extremes and many are hardy up to zone 4 and can flourish in anything, from an old log to rockeries with good drainage, as long as they have full sun exposure.
These low growing perennials range from less than one centimeter to more than ten centimetres in diametre, and have a range of over 60 species. Part of their charm is their colour range, in shades of light to dark greens, red, purple and grey. Semps can withstand temperature extremes and many are hardy up to zone 4 and can flourish in anything, from an old log to rockeries with good drainage, as long as they have full sun exposure.
Full sun brings out their rich colour. Winter is
their dormant period, so keep them dry. Water just after planting to help the roots
adjust to the new site. Additional watering
is not required, except during periods of drought. Semps don’t like being
waterlogged.
Hens and
chicks are called so because they reproduce vegetatively. The mamma, or main rosette, is surrounded
by smaller rosettes, her “chicks,” often borne on the end of long stems
(stolons). Chicks can be left to roots around the main plant or detached
and grown separately. After a few years, the hen will produce a flower spike with
white or pink flowers and then die, but the chicks
will eventually become hens, producing their own chicks.
The botanical name sempervivum means “always alive.” Even rosettes left dry and without soil for several months will typically survive and grow rapidly in suitable conditions. Don’t coddle them over winter; they prefer being left to their own devices and allowed to adapt to outside conditions.
The botanical name sempervivum means “always alive.” Even rosettes left dry and without soil for several months will typically survive and grow rapidly in suitable conditions. Don’t coddle them over winter; they prefer being left to their own devices and allowed to adapt to outside conditions.
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