Over the last few years I have planted lots for pot of hens and chick. They are easy to grow and care for but the best thing about them is they are heat tolerant. With this summer being so hot that is a very good thing. I have them lining my south facing, hot brick walkway leading to our side door. I don't have to worry about watering them on a regular basis. However, I did snapped some of these photos after a brief rain shower.
Hens and chicks are a low growing evergreen succulent that look sort of like rubbery little roses. The original rose or rosette are the "Hens" and the little rosette offshoots are the "Chicks".
The Latin name for hens and chicks is Sempervivum tectorum, Sempervivum meaning "always live" and tectorum means "on roofs". Hummm… "on roofs" where did that come from.
Well hens and chick originally came from Europe where they were planted in thatched roofs. Forklore claimed that they protected again fires. Since they are drought tolerant they were thought to be fire resistant and would slow down a fire in a thatched roof. It makes me wish I had a thatched roof to plant them in, wouldn't that be charming!
A few days later these buds bloomed.
I have planted them in strawberry pots, old boots and hypertufa planters. Next year I'd really like to try making a succulent wreath. A gardener always has to have a plan or a dream for next year……..
