Common houseleek (folk name) spread in southern Europe, likes to grow in the mountains on the rocks. The diameter of the rosettes is 3-4 inches, the color of the leaves is green with dark tips.
The leaves are thick juicy, capable of storing moisture. Sometimes the leaves can be covered with thin white hairs.
Vegetative propagation occurs with the help of stem at the tips of which young rosettes are formed. Also, this species is propagated by seeds, blooms in summer. During flowering, the height of the flower stem can reach up to 10 inches.
It is one of the oldest species in the culture, in the Middle Ages, it was planted on a roof, then began to use as an ornamental plant.
Growing
This species is easy enough to grow, it needs drained soil in full sun. If this plant grows in partial sun, the color of the leaves will be less bright. In the shade, the plant will stretch out and most likely die.
Common houseleek is harmful overwatering, although in dry weather in summer it is worth watering the plant, it can be done once a week.
If all the rules of cultivation are followed, the sempervivum tectorum will quickly form a wonderful live carpet of rosettes. Planted this species in rockery garden and in various compositions of stone.
Sempervivum tectorum resist frosts and do not need protection for the winter. Practically free from pests and diseases.
Habitat
It grows in such mountain as:
- Pyrenees;
- Alps;
- Apennines;
- Carpathians.
Sperad from Spain through France and Italy to Ukraine. Representatives of this species have also been found in Asia.
Species has two varieties:
- Sempervivum tectorum var. arvernense
The leaves are covered with hairs that resemble velvet. - Sempervivum tectorum var. tectorum
The leaves are smooth, the hairs grow at the edge of the leaf.
They are a little different and grow in different territories.
Cultivars
Sempervivum Claudia
Rosettes are large, their diameter can reach 4 inches. The color of the leaves is red, a very bright variety. The creator of the variety is Horst Diehm; the variety was bred in 2004.
Sempervivum Fame
The size of this variety is medium (about 4 inches). The leaves are pink in color, they are thick enough, their tips have an unusual shape. The variety was studied in the UK in 1962.
Sempervivum Herringer Rose
The homeland of this variety is Germany. Rosettes grow up to 5 inches in diameter. The color of the leaves is red with a brown tint. The growth rate is slow. Hybrid variety, released in 2002 by Horst Diehm.
Sempervivum Launcelot
Rosettes are brownish-red, their diameter may exceed 4 inches. Bred a long time ago in 1976, the author of the variety Edward Skrocki, country of origin USA.
Sempervivum Morgenrote
This variety has rosettes of open type 3 inches in diameter. The color is red with a tinge of plum, at the ends of the leaves are green. The variety grows slowly. Country of origin Germany, bred by Horst Diehm in 2002.
Sempervivum Pelora
The variety is an unusual mutation of Sempervivum tectorum. It is similar to Sempervivum Oddity, but forms sharper leaf tips. Often, plants of this variety become cristate form. The size of the rosettes is 3 inches, the color is bright green. Created in the Netherlands in 1985 by Ben J. Zonneveld.