Hens-and-chicks

A favorite of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, hens-and-chicks are popular once again with gardeners looking for drought-tolerant, easy care plants. Darlings of today's xeriscape gardens, trough gardens, and rooftop gardens, these plants are appreciated for their easy care and tolerance for extremely dry conditions. The neat rosettes multiply freely by runners that form dense colonies. Flowering rosettes die after bloom time, but are quickly replaced. They are excellent between pavers on patios and walkways.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

4-8

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

3-6 inches tall

Plant Width:

1 foot wide

Flower Color:

Pink, or yellow flowers, depending on variety; Red/Purple Leaves, Blue-Green Leaves, Yellow Leaves, depending on variety.

Bloom Time:

Blooms in summer

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Slopes,Groundcover

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Winter Interest,Drought Tolerant,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Bronco hens-and-chicks

(Sempervivum 'Bronco') is a vigorous selection that offers green foliage with purple-red edges. It grows 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide. Zones 5-10
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Cobweb Buttons hens-and-chicks

(Sempervivum 'Cobweb Buttons') is a distinct selection that has fuzzy leaf tips; the hairs catch on the new growth for a spiderweb effect. It grows 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide. Zones 5-10
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Garden Plans

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Classic Container Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Yarrow

Woolly yarrow enjoys similar conditions to hens-and-chicks. Its low mats of deeply cut leaves covered in silvery hairs and small heads of yellow spring flowers make them fine companions.

Thrift

With tight mounds of grassy blue gray leaves, thrift contrasts well with hens-and-chicks in sunny places. The heads of white, pink, or red flowers in late spring are a bonus.

Sedum

Groundcover sedum selections also love a hot, dry spot and offer a variety of textures that complement or contrast hens-and-chicks.

Propagation

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Seed
Division