Hens and Chicks 'Lilac Time'

Hens and Chicks 'Lilac Time'
Sempervivum

Under the right light, plants appear a purplish-grey

I hadn't even considered houseleek 'cultivars'! These are quite nice.

There are literally hundreds of named cultivars...I expect many are hopelessly confused. Still, some cultivars are quite attractive over the straight species.

For years I thought they wouldn't grow here, but I have a rock gardening friend or two that have great wads of them. I've begun introducing some into my beds, so we'll see how it grows. Both my friends live on the edge of the rivers in full sun, so the houseleeks get plenty of warmth and good drainage. I have more shade and I've brought in good top soil, so it may not suit them.

Put them in a pot with plenty of sand. I'm in zone 4b, but they do just fine here, even overwintering in planters. They'll take just about anything except heavy foot traffic and standing water. My dog thinks they make great dog toys, and they end up growing where he "transplants" them.
Todd, where are you getting those named cultivars? I have a few hand-me down cultivars, but they all originated with mixed seed and I have no idea what they are.

Most of my named Sempervivums came from plant sales at our local botanical garden. Our local nurseries sell a wide variety of unnamed ones; I have a few of them as well.

I never see them at plant sales around here, but that is severly limited in my locale. Of course, I can always pop a few little fellows from friend's rock gardens!

I luv hens & chicks. Yours are lovely, Todd. I have some posted on my webshots. Maybe we can do a trade??
:) Donna

Remind me this spring Donna....at least within Canada we can do a trade without too much fuss. I can send you pics of each of my varieties then.

Todd that would be great. Here is my link to my webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/gardeningperennialgirl

I have some of the sedums and hens & chicks pics there. Most of them I don't know the names but I know you will be able to tell me them.
:) Donna

I have a semp also apparently named "Lilac Time", but growing in Denver, rather than Newfoundland. It is very blue-green in the winter, but frosty green and pink in the summer, fully blushing at the outer edges only when blooming. It is a slow grower and the bloom stalk (pink flowers) is unusually short. Pink color is better with full sun.

That's really beautiful, Sally. Do you know if it is 'Lilac Time'? Did it have a tag? If so, it could go into the Plantfiles where Todd's photo went.

I got it from one of the Denver Botanic Gardens' horticulturalists after it was on a special display (with tag), so I am sure it is Lilac Time. The "summer colors" also fit the name better than the bluer winter or shade colors. Should I just post it there? I agree she is a beauty! I also have a picture of a small clump. I bought a strawberry jar just for semps just to get this one up where I could see it better!

Yes, I'd definitely post pictures in the PF, Sally!