Sempervivum arachnoideum subsp. tomentosum

Among the easiest plants to grow, Hen-and-chicks tolerate heat, drought and neglect with style. Useful in rock gardens, container gardens of all types, rooftop gardens and rock walls. Hundreds of varieties exist. All types form a low cushion or carpet of fleshy leaves, tiny new plants appearing in a circle around the mother in the middle. This selection has small rosettes of purplish leaves, heavily covered by a fine silver webbing. Short spikes of pastel flowers appear in summer. Easily increased by just removing the small baby rosettes and replanting in a new location at almost any time. After flowering, the mother rosette dies to leave room for the chicks: remove this by tugging gently at the base of the bloom stem.