Sempervivums

 

I think our alpine beds are getting away from us. We were planning on dividing and transplanting this bed this spring, but it didn't happen, and it's certainly not going to happen while we're preparing for the show and sale. Maybe this fall...

Jovibarba heuffelii 'Gold Bug'

I've posted this before but the picture was taken at a different time of year, when the plant had more green. This plant has been totally exposed to the elements all Winter and shows it's other face, with much more red and very little green. The yellow will also become more prominent.

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.

Aichryson tortuosum

An easy plant to grow, Aichryson tortuosum is a winter grower, putting out plentiful flowers in late spring. Make that early summer in our climate. Native to the Canary Islands, it's sometimes listed as an Aeonium or even a Sempervivum. It's not hardy.

Fairy Garden

These are the shoes our two boys wore when they were little (now in their 40s). Each year they get a little more encrusted with lichens and fungi mixed in with the sempervivums and sedum. We call it our little fairy garden. (The dead evergreen pieces are from the coast redwood overhead.)

The photos were taken by Lynn-Marie.

Enjoy your plants!