Sempervivum arachnoideum (Hens and Chicks)

Sempervivum arachnoideum (Hens & Chicks) is a mat-forming succulent perennial forming tight evergreen rosettes, 1 in wide (2.5 cm), of fleshy green leaves adorned with cobwebby white hairs at their tips. The mother rosette (Hen) spreads in all directions by horizontal stems to form offsets (chicks). Each offset will develop roots of its own and become independent of the parent plant as the connecting stolon withers. In summer, a thick flowering stalk arises from the center of the hen rosette and bears showy starry, rose-pink flowers. Sempervivums are monocarpic: they die after flowering. However, the offsets they produce usually make up for the losses and fill the gaps left by the dead rosettes.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 1-3 in. tall (2-7 cm) and 8-12 in. wide (20-30 cm). Will spread by offsets to form colonies
• Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poor soils and thrives in sandy or gravelly soils. Excellent drainage is required. Drought tolerant.
• Surprisingly cold hardy, Sempervivums need little maintenance once established, like many cacti and succulents, and will survive near total neglect!
• Excellent for dry stony places, Sempervivums are great in cracks in dry stone walls, at the front of beds and borders, or as a small area groundcover. They look splendid in rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as edging plant or in decorative trough and containers! Best when planted in groups or intermingled in mosaics.
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Virtually pest and disease free. Watch for rust, leaf rot and root rot
• Propagate by seed sown in spring, or root offsets in spring
• Native of the mountains of Southern Europe