Description

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

Sempervivum ‘Neptune’

4″ pot

This variety “Neptune” lives up to its unique name. The rosettes are large, fuzzy, and are yellow-green coloured. The base of the leaves (towards the centre) are a shaded lavender to pink color at the base, and yellowish green towards the leaf tip. During the summer there are short spikes of pastel flowers that will appear. The texture of the leaves are velvety. Through the seasons the transition of colors can range from pink in Spring, to tawny yellow in Summer, and to a soft lavender in Winter.

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.

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. The Nepture has a medium growth rate. Gets to heights of 4-8 inches and a spread of 12 inches. Surprisingly cold hardy, Sempervivums need little maintenance once established, and will survive near total neglect.