Sempervivum is more well-known by its common name, Hen & Chicks or Houseleeks. The name comes from the Latin Semper means - forever and vivo means – lives. These evergreen plants originate from the European alpine regions, making them extremely hardy. They prefer full sun or very light shade and require good drainage. Sempervivum work well in rock gardens, trough plantings, strawberry planters or tucked into rock wall crevices. They are also a good choice for green roofs and make for interesting topiaries.
The main rosette is referred to as the Hen and the smaller rosettes are the chicks. Each of these chicks can be removed and replanted easily or shared with friends. Occasionally a long shoot will appear, topped with a cluster of flowers. Shortly after flowering, the plant will die, but by then, numerous chicks will have been produced to take its place.
These aren’t your mother’s old fashioned green Hen & Chicks. There are several hundred varieties, shapes, colors and textures. Many turn a reddish color in winter; others are edged in red, while others rage in colors of brown to orange. Some varieties even look as if they are covered in cobwebs.
In the days-of-old, Sempervivum were planted on roofs of houses to guard against lightning. There is some scientific proof behind the myth; Sempervivum are naturally fire resistant and can slow down the spread of flames. The plant was also planted on the roof to bring the inhabitants good luck. Feuding neighbors were known to go up on the opposing neighbor’s roof and pull off their plants, believing that they would be vulnerable to natural disasters and left unguarded against demons.
With so many varieties to choose from and so many places to plant them, this is a fun and unique plant to experiment with.
how interesting the lore associated with sempervivum! i love your arrangements/topiaries/whatever you call them. very pretty.
ReplyDeletehaha - I could just imagine someone pulling these off their neighbor's roof because they were made at them! Actually, I don't know why that struck me as funny, but it did. Loved all the different things you have done with these plants. Great ideas here!
ReplyDeleteLOL! The disaster of falling and breaking ones neck on the neighbors roof would be a disaster too I am guessing. These are such cute planter for them. I love the rooster.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun tales of feuding neighbors and lightning prevention. I have always liked Hens & chicks, finally got some last fall.
ReplyDeleteI love hens and chicks even though they don't lay eggs. I makes sense that a plant the holds water would be a fire retardant. The lightening prevention is harder myth to fathom. It would be interesting to know the story and science behind the idea. I love, love the little birds nest idea at the top of the post and the hanging topiary. I wonder if I could find a similar metal form here? I'd love to make one up!
ReplyDeleteI have my hens and chicks in a strawberry pot, what a cliche! I like the idea of planting them inside of a wrought iron sphere like you did.
ReplyDeleteHens and Chicks as lightning protection?? That is so cool!! I grew my first hens and chicks last summer and they're holding on through our Unwinter. I'm planning on adding to the flock this summer. :o)
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