Sempervivum caucasicum
Family: Crassulaceae
What it is like
Sempervivum caucasicum is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Sandy and calcareous soils, schistose rocks in alpine and sub-alpine zones.
W. Asia - Caucasus.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves - raw.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Prefers a well-drained gritty soil in full sun. Succeeds in any sandy soil, doing well in very little soil in rock crevices, walls, paths etc so long as there is sufficient humus. Established plants are drought tolerant. Dislikes winter wet. Hardy to about -15°c. Individual rosettes die after flowering, but produce a number of offsets that continue to grow. This species is closely related to S. tectorum.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow early spring in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 10°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have made sufficient growth, otherwise grow them on for a further year in pots before planting them out. Division of offsets in spring or early summer. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer. Plants can also be divided in September but these divisions should be overwintered in a greenhouse. Stem cuttings.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist