Family: Crassulaceae
Common Name: Houseleek, Hen and Chickens

Endemic to mountainous and high areas of Europe, western Asia and Morocco, these ornamental, succulent rosettes make good cover for walls, banks and rock gardens. The plants are steeped in folklore. In days past, these plants had many, many uses, from protection against lightning and curing warts and corns to, curiously, helping a maiden select a husband. Her suitors would be presented with a young plant each and the one who had the best plant after a period of time was the right choice.

Species

A. arachnoideum, cobweb houseleek, zone 5, from the European Alps, is a dainty, little plant, criss-crossed with fine, white hairs. Rarely growing more than 8-10 cm 13-4 in) high, it has pink to crimson flowers in summer.

S. ciliosum, zone 6, from Greece, has produced several varieties. All have fine hair on the edges of the leaves and form neat rosettes. All have greenish yellow flowers.

S. marmoreum, zone 5, from the Balkans and southern Russia, forms flattish rosettes, spreading to form wide mats. The leaves are olive green, tinged red or brown. The red flowers have white tips.

S. tectorum, zone 4, the most common European species, has many varieties and forms, all with red-tipped leaves and pink flowers.

Cultivation

Grow in very well drained, gritty soil, which can be quite poor, in a sunny position. Hairy species can be grown in pans of gritty, soil-based compost in an alpine house, to protect them from excessive rain. Propagate in spring or summer from young offsets, or from seed in spring.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.