SEMPER VIVUM 
HOUSELEEK 
From the time of the ancient Danes, Germans and 
Romans down to the present time, Hardy Succulents 
have held a lively interest, ranging from sacredness to 
the superstition of planting them upon roofs to protect 
« the house against thunder. 
Our great grandmothers always had a pot. or two 
growing on the door-step or window sill, but this sort 
was the common houseleek of the variety Tectorum. 
Many people are still growing it and do not knew there 
are collections of several hundred sorts that are over 
fifty years old. All of them are as the names indicates, 
everlasting, and it is difficult to kill them. 
Modern horticulture has produced such colorful 
hybrids as never dreamed of by the ancients. The 
gardening public of today have taken a keen interest 
in growing them in their homes where their delicate 
coloring and unique forms are best revealed by intimate 
association. Observed under a reading glass, they are 
like charming sculptured jewels studded with crystals 
in their perfect symmetry, the constantly changing 
tints and colors intermingled, rose, violet, ruby, blues 
and greens command endless interest in these beautiful 
plants. 
It is hard to imagine a family of plants more varied 
and susceptible to change from a cultural standpoint 
then the Sempervivum. Some varieties are boldly dis¬ 
tinct, while others are so closely related as to differ only 
in the texture of the marginal hairs of the leaves. All 
varieties change their characteristics when grown in a 
rich, medium or poor soil. All of the Arachnoideae and 
Pubescentiae groups pout and eventually die in lime¬ 
stone, but thrive in a rich acid mixture, over water- 
ng and hot muggy weather is dangerous for these two 
groups. They are perfect drought resistant plants for 
-,he rockery and dry wall. They color up best if given 
in eastern or half shady exposure and a moderately 
rich soil. 
The custom of giving potted plants on any occasion 
is a doubly pleasing one when the donor is thoughtful 
enough to select for the flower lover, Sempervivums, 
which being hardy may be planted out doors after used 
as pot plants to make the gift a lasting one. 
We guarantee plants to reach you in perfect grow¬ 
ing condition and potted, All varieties can be furnished 
in extra large single rosettes for special make-up at the 
regular price. 
