Description

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

Sempervivum ‘Killer’

4″ pot

A unique variety of Hens and Chicks called the “Killer”. The Killer variety is an 0live-green rosette that is suffused with dark red splashes through the seasons. The leaves of this variety are long and pointed, producing long stolons. A fairly new introduction from Europe. Will get to be a diameter of 5 inches. In the Springtime the foliage will have a dark purple centre and in the Summer will be green with a Maroon centre.

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. 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.