Hens and Chicks, Sempervivens

hardy
water storing succulent
drought tolerant
snow and ice tolerant
architecturally attractive
prolific
great container plant
need well drained soil
prefer a gravelly loam
deer do love them
different varieties have different forms
great for balconies and small spaces
attractive and unusual flower
sun or shade

These dear little plants are winners. I cannot think of a tougher, more attractive, easier to care for small plant than Sempervivens. Adding a touch of exotic to our gardens, Sempervirens looks delicate but it is far from it. It is a water storing little wonder because whatever antifreeze it uses, will keep it safe through all kinds of winter weather. I have had Sempervivens outside in -35C weather with no ill effect. There are so many varieties with different types of rosettes from large hairier types to delicate tight little cobwebs, large green glossy leaves to deep red. Cold weather will sometimes encourage the leaves to become darker but many varieties have reddish tips to their green leaves. The plants themselves are attractive but periodically the plants will flower and send up an unusual Gazania type bloom.

We store some of our pots of Hens and Chicks in a greenhouse over winter where the clay pots are safer but others are simply stored in a ‘safe from the dogs’ compound in the garden. Clay pots will not survive the freeze thaw of wet winter weather so it is best to keep those pots to other materials. Deer do love these tender juicy leaves so this is the plant’s only downfall. Some of the plants will turn brown over winter but if totally dead they can gently be removed. Rest assured the rest of the plants will not die and once the sunshine and warmth hit the plants they will start to grow and thrive again.

Hens and Chicks reproduce by growing new plants, called offsets, on their runners. These can be easily separated from the mother hen by twisting them off and laying on some appropriate soil in a new location. If the chick does not yet have new roots, it soon will grow some. Because these plants are so light and easily disturbed by critters, I would make sure to have an established clump before placing in a border. Nearly all our flock is kept captive in pots as they make such an easy, low maintenance planter.