Wednesday 29 May 2013

The sempervivums are getting going.

Part of the old dry bed was a little alpine trench full of sempervivums. They were mainly named varieties that were selected as my favourite forms.  If they different perform or turn out as expected they were replaced with another. Such was life in a small garden.


Were possible a few of each were potted up for the move which has had mixed results.  Some have responded well to the move and bulked up nicely, these s. parkardians are getting bigger now and have a really strong colour. They done much better than in the ground, and it is still very early in the year.


Some flowered and the pups have taken over the pot.  This is s. arachnoideum x nevadense before it flowered:


and now, can't wait to see this pot when the pups grow into their adult form.


The next two were put together as they are both compact forms, one green and one red. The hope they would form a nice half and half pot. As it turns out s. green dragon (on the right) has done really well and is taking over, s. jet stream has struggled and not done anything. You win, some you loose some.


S. green dragon is interesting as it seems to offset from the base almost coming up from under the gravel, resulting in these very tight clumps.  At this time of year it is pink, but in a month or so it will be a very bright green.

I added a couple more this spring, s. pink puff so far doesn't live up to the name.  It is much more purple than pink.


S. apple blossom is more true to the name, it has that apple feel to it (or it does to me anyway).


The good thing is there are always new varieties to add if space opens up. 

3 comments:

  1. First time here. Looks like a great blog. Can I ask where you are located? I'm in southern Maryland. I have quite a few semps (plus or minus about 200) and they look great right now, but they really struggle in our hot and humid summer. I have them where they will get a little mid day shade and I try to keep them watered during the hot summer but many lose their nice colors in the heat. Most of mine are in relatively small pots, but I like the way you are putting yours in larger containers. I'm going to move in this direction as it might help keep their roots a bit cooler in the summer. Of course while semps struggle in summer here, they come through the winter like champs. Great plants. I look forward to reading through your older blogs. Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you. I am in the UK on the edge of London, so we don't have the same heat problems you do. I like the slightly bigger pots as I am trying to encourage them to form bigger groups. Some seem to respond to the space, others don't seem to like being spoilt.

      sounds like you have an amazing collection.

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    2. Indeed Bob.
      Show us your collection.

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