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Products > Sempervivum montanum   Sempervivum montanum - Houseleek     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Succulent Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) Origin: Europe, Central (Europe) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Magenta Bloomtime: Summer Height: <1 foot Width: <1 foot Exposure: Sun or Shade Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F Sempervivum montanum (Houseleek) - Hardy small succulent with tight rosettes to 2-3 inches in diameter crowded with mid-green colored fleshy leaves. Plants produce many offsetting rosettes that are held tightly crowded together. Clusters of reddish-purple star-shaped flowers rise up on short stalks in early summer. Plant in sun or light shade (protect from intense sun inland) in a sandy well-drained soil. Requires little water. A great plant in rock crevices or as a small scale groundcover. Hardy well below 0°F – listed to USDA zone 4. This plant is native to mountainous areas of southern Europe from the Pyrenees east through the Alps to the Carpathian Mountains and south into Corsica. The name for the genus comes from the Latin words 'semper' meaning "always" and 'vivus' meaning "living" in reference to the long living nature of these plants. Specific epithet is from this plants habitat in mountainous regions. The common names Houseleek or Roof House Leek comes from the ancient practice of planting these plants on the thatched roofs of houses to prevent roof fires caused by lightning. The alternate common name of Hen and Chicks is because the older center plant in a clump is larger and surrounded by smaller plants.  The information presented on this page is based on research we have conducted about this plant in our library and from reliable online sources. We also consider observations of it growing in our nursery crops, as well as in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens we visit. We will incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome getting feedback from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they include cultural information that would aid others in growing Sempervivum montanum.     [MORE INFO]