Sempervivum, Hens and ChicksSearch Drought Smart Plants here: Sempervivum have been known for centuries as hens and chicks, and houseleeks. Ancient lore tells of using Sempervivum to repel evil spirits and protect homes from Thor, the god of thunder and lightening. The villagers of days gone by would plant Sempervivum on the roofs of their cottages as protection against fire caused by lightening strikes in the very first recorded instance of fire smart gardening.Nowadays, as well as growing them on green roofs, we use these great drought smart plants to beautify our xeric gardens, make living succulent wreaths or mosaics, and plant in containers for patio and dooryards or in succulent hanging baskets. Some of my favorite planters are those made from old weathered roots or satellite dishes, recycled into shallow bowls to plant in. Used as iron tough ground covers for perennial beds, accents in rock gardens, or grown in trough gardens, these indispensable and jewel-like plants are becoming popular again. Collectors can choose from huge specimens that can reach over 20cm across, or tiny spider web types called arachnoideum species with rosettes only one centimeter in diameter. There are many species, and many selected varieties of those, to make an extensive list to choose from. No matter which kind you choose, you can't go wrong! How to Grow SempervivumSempervivum love dry soil and hot sun, so choose a place that gets at least four to six hours of full sun exposure. The soil should be well drained, preferably sandy and with some small rocks or pebbles for added drainage.Add some steer manure before planting and mix it in, or sprinkle on worm castings once a year for the perfect amount of nutrition. Mulch with pebble mulch or lava rock to provide the perfect drainage around the roots. As the cooler fall weather approaches, enjoy the colour changes that occur in your collection of Sempervivum, and stop watering. The best way to kill Sempervivum is to allow them to go into winter with wet soil. They can be shipped bareroot in the mail, so they can withstand a lot of dry conditions, and in fact, prefer it. 
The colours of Sempervivum can range from soft beige with dark brown tips, to dusky blue, to bright red, changing with the season. Many take on darker hues as cool weather arrives in the fall, to change back to green as they become dormant for the winter.The choice is amazing, with more new and unusual types being developed all the time as they hybridize with ease. I now have over one hundred named varieties and more types grown in the landscape in tapestry beds along with Sedum.
Growth Habit of SempervivumThe rosettes are formed in a spiral pattern, with each new set of leaves making a smaller circle in the center of the plant.Once the rosette gets big enough, baby chicks form at the base and emerge on stolons to root into the surrounding soil. The stolons eventually become brittle and rot away, leaving a clutch of 'chicks' around the 'hen'. Eventually, the hen will bloom, after which it dies, leaving a gap to be filled in with the chicks as they grow. A sizable cluster of rosettes will result as each successive generation spreads wider afield. Uses of SempervivumCombining many different types and sizes of Sempervivum gives the look of an ever changing patchwork quilt.Group them in clusters and allow them to combine to show off the textures and colours as a groundcover, or planted among rocks. In time, they'll fill in a pot or container to spill over the edge, sometimes dropping off and rooting into the ground below. Easy to grow, easy to move, just pull gently until the rosette tears away and plug it into the next empty spot in your xeric garden. They don't even need to have roots on - just insert the stolon where you want the chick to grow to hold it in place until the roots emerge. 
PricesPrice of Sempervivum in my collection of over one hundred varieties $4.00 per 2" pot. Bare Root collection of 50 rosettes for $75.00 - buy this economical selection for wreaths, mosaics and topiary crafts.Contact me directly for wholesale pricing on large orders. Please indicate size you would prefer - small, medium or large. I'll choose some nice mid sized rosettes that will form chicks, not go directly into flowering (as they die after blooming!) All are hardy to
Zone 5a.
Are you ready to place an order? See the important information on these pages first: Order Information and Shipping Information: Then Contact me to place your order. Join Us!Are you interested in more information about Sedum, Sempervivum and Jovibarba and joining a fun group of like-minded hardy succulent fanatics? Join the Sedum, Sempervivum and Jovibarba Cubit and add to the database, browse the forums and find instructions on more succulent crafts.Still looking for something? Search the Web here:
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