Sempervivum calcarium 'Mrs. Giuseppi'

This summer has been ideal for the alpine succulents such as the semps and sedums. This is Sempervivum 'Mrs Giuseppi', a plant we obtained many years ago from Helen Paine, author of the book Plant Jewels of the High Country, now out of print.

Another view of the semp and sedum beds.

Semlpervivum 'Jungle Shadows'

And today's winner is...Sempervivum 'Jungle Shadows'. This is one of the ones which get quite large.
Because these are such easy care plants, they're being used along with hardy Sedums to create "green roofs". We have a lot of these being built in this area now.

Sempervivum calcarium 'Mrs. Guiseppi'

Another one of the classic semps: Sempervivum calcarium 'Mrs. Guiseppi'. Hardy just about anywhere, these plants do their best in rather poor soil. Who could ask for more?

Sempervivum 'Ohio Burgundy'

I don't think I've ever posted any of the succulent alpines before. Though often viewed as "common" since the multiply so rapidly and are often shared from neighbor's gardens, there are some really wonderful cultivars which show off nicely in a rock garden. This one's an old timer: Ohio Burgundy.

We obtained our first "semps" back in the 60's from Helen Payne's nursery in the Willamette Valley. She wrote the now out-of-print classic "Plant Jewels of the High Country". They're often referred to as "Hens and Chicks", but of course so are Echeverias.