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| 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 |
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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.
Information displayed on this page about Sempervivum montanum is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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