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Sempervivum calcareum ‘Sir William Lawrence’ (Hens and Chicks)

Hens and Chicks 'Sir William Lawrence', Houseleek 'Sir William Lawrence', Sempervivum 'Sir William Lawrence'

AGM Award
Sempervivum calcareum 'Sir William Lawrence', Hens and Chicks 'Sir William Lawrence', Houseleek 'Sir William Lawrence', Sempervivum 'Sir William Lawrence', succulent, evergreen succulent, Green Succulent, drought tolerant perennial, drou

Sempervivum calcareum ‘Sir William Lawrence’ (Hens and Chicks) is a mat-forming succulent perennial forming attractive, evergreen rosettes, up to 3 in. wide (7 cm), packed with fleshy, pointed, green leaves, adorned with dark burgundy tips. The mother rosette (Hen) spreads in all directions by horizontal stems to form offsets (chicks). Each offset will develop roots of its own and become independent of the parent plant as the connecting stolon withers. In summer, a thick flowering stalk arises from the center of the hen rosette and bears showy starry, pale pink flowers. Sempervivums are monocarpic: they die after flowering. However, the offsets they produce usually make up for the losses and fill the gaps left by the dead rosettes.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 4-8 in. tall (10-20 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm). Will spread by offsets to form colonies
  • Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poor soils and thrives in sandy or gravelly soils. Excellent drainage is required. Drought tolerant.
  • Surprisingly cold hardy, Sempervivums need little maintenance once established, like many cacti and succulents, and will survive near total neglect!
  • Excellent for dry stony places, Sempervivums are great in cracks in dry stone walls, at the front of beds and borders, or as a small area groundcover. They look splendid in rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as edging plant or in decorative trough and containers! Best when planted in groups or intermingled in mosaics.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Watch for rust, leaf rot and root rot
  • Propagate by offsets in spring

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents, Perennials
Plant Family Crassulaceae
Genus Sempervivum
Common names Sempervivum, Hens and Chicks
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4" - 8"
(10cm - 20cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 6" - 12"
(15cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Sempervivum Chick Charms® Silver Suede™ (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum Chick Charms® Plum Parfait™ (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum Chick Charms® Sugar Shimmer™ (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum ‘Peggy’ (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum Chick Charms® Cranberry Cocktail™ (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum Chick Charms® Cinnamon Starburst™ (Hens and Chicks)

Recommended Companion Plants

Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Nana’ (Wormwood)
Armeria maritima (Sea Thrift)
Lewisia cotyledon (Siskiyou Lewisia)
Echeveria

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Succulents
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents, Perennials
Plant Family Crassulaceae
Genus Sempervivum
Common names Sempervivum, Hens and Chicks
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4" - 8"
(10cm - 20cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 6" - 12"
(15cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks) to pick?
Compare Now

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