California Bulbs, Rock Plants, Unusual Perennials 
49 
SEMPERVIVUMS 
SEMPERVIVUMS are among the most attractive plants for rock gardens, 
wall gardens, dry banks, and collections of succulents. 
The name Hen and Chickens is popularly applied to Tectorum , the commonest 
sort. All, however, have the same habit of propagating by short stolons, the 
Chickens. 
Collecting Sempervivums gets to be quite fascinating, for there is an endless 
variety, each with some individual charm. 
Culture: First, perfect drainage. The books will tell you to use poor, gritty 
soil. They will grow in such soil, but we have found that by using a porous, 
gritty soil, enriched with leaf mold and a fair dressing of well-rotted cow ma¬ 
nure, the plants are very much handsomer in coloring. At Ukiah we find they 
do much better in a medium shade, which shifts from time to time so that 
there is alternating sun and shade. Next to that an eastern exposure with 
shade in afternoon. In my observation elsewhere this is also true, although 
in a foggy climate it might not make a difference. PI. at any time. Divide and 
reset every two or three years, as they get too thick. 
The names of Sempervivums are hopelessly confused. I have, besides my 
original set of 90 varieties, two considerable collections from the most reliable 
European sources comprising over 200 varieties, yet from these I cannot surely 
identify 10 per cent, even with the additional aid of Henri Correvon’s book 
and other authoritive written works. I refuse to send them out longer under 
names I am not sure of or which are at all questionable. This leaves unnamed 
some of the very finest varieties in my large set, and I offer these under number 
until they are definitely identified. After all, one who loves these Sempervi¬ 
vums is collecting charming plants, not names. For convenience I am listing 
them in four groups, giving the dimensions of well-grown plants. The numbered 
ones are some of the very finest. 
SPECIES DEEPLY COLORED 
Contide Conselle. Rosettes 5 inches or more across. Foliage a deep glaucous 
green; base crimson and suffused crimson throughout; tips and out margin 
dark red. Very distinct. Each 75 cts. 
Lown’s Seedling No. 60 is one of the finest of all Sempervivums. 2 to 3 
inch rosettes; base of leaf green, outer part deep red. Many silky hairs on 
margins and at center. So silky as to suggest an arachnoideum. Very scarce. 
In cold regions best to winter in cold-frame. $1.00 each. 
Magnifica. Rare English garden hybrid. 9 in. rosette, deep rosy red through¬ 
out, overlaid grey. Magnificent variety. $2 each. 
Quinby’s No. 160. 3 to 6 inches. Upright leaves of soft brown, crimson at 
base and with hairy margins and pubescent throughout. Unlike any other. Very 
scarce. $1.50 each. 
“Rosy Purple Beauty.” 5 to 8 inch rosettes. The name describes it. Easily the 
best of the deep purple varieties and maintains its color throughout the year in 
any situation. $1.50 each. 
Rubicundum Hybridum. Very fine. Rosettes 3 to 4 inches. From base of leaf 
to outer third deep red, while tip and margin are bright green. Most striking. 
Each, 60 cts. 
Triste (True). 4 to 6 in. with slender pointed leaves. Very deep wine color 
throughout the year. Very rare. 75 cts. each. 
No. 50-3. (Sent out before as “Amber Green.") 6 to 7 inch rosettes. Leaves 
dark grey-green, tinted purple, purple at base. 60 cts. each. 
No. 50-4. 3 to 6 inches. Leaves deep glaucous green, purplish crimson at 
base with brown tip. Very fine. 50 cts. each. 
No 50-5. 5 to 6 inches. Loose rosettes of deep purplish mauve. 50 cts. each. 
No. 50-6. 4 to 6 inches. Long narrow thickened leaves, deep sea green, pink 
at base, deeply tipped purple, the purple extending over outer one-third in late 
season. 50 cts. each. 
No. 50-8. 5 to 8 inches. Foliage silvery green to tips with a bright purplish 
crimson base. A real acquisition. 80 cts. each. 
For other fine Sempervivums see pages 50 and 51. 
