Description

Full sun, deer, rabbit, and drought resistant, zone 4

Sempervivum ‘Desert Bloom’

4″ pot

Hens and Chicks are some of the most familiar garden perennials. They form a low clump of fleshy leaves where tiny new plants will appear in a circle around the mother, which is in the middle. This variety “Desert Bloom’ has pointy grey-green leaves that are flushed pink; turns a bright lilac in the Winter. It will usually form a colony of 4 to 6 rosettes. While the leaves mature they will turn pink-purple and flatten out. There are short spikes of pink flowers that appear in the Summer. This variety has a natural, protective coating of wax that can give the appearance of rippling crossing the leaves.

Sempervivums are comprised of one large rosette called the “hen” which will then sprout many smaller rosettes around it called the “chicks”. As the plants age, the hen may die out and be replaced by the chicks. Plants can be easily divided and replanted. Particularly used for borders, containers, rock gardens, or as ground-covering. Sempervivums are monocarpic.

Prefers soil that is dry and well-drained. Will be drought tolerant once established. Heat tolerant and actually prefers poor soil (neutral or alkaline soil), over soil that is too rich or heavy clay. They have a slow growth rate. Gets to heights of 3 inches and a spread of 12 inches. Surprisingly cold hardy, Sempervivums need little maintenance once established, and will survive near total neglect.