Succulents are a fantastic choice for easy and low-maintenance landscaping. However, if you’re looking for succulents that spread quickly and provide colorful ground cover, we have some recommendations for you. Mountain Crest Gardens offers a variety of fast-growing succulents from two categories: Sempervivum and Sempervivum heuffelii. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 15 of our most prolific hens and chicks succulents.
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum, also known as Hens and Chicks, are hardy perennials that thrive outdoors in most regions. These plants naturally produce stolons, which are runners that carry new plants or ‘chicks.’ This allows the group to spread and form a dense mat. You can easily detach the chicks and replant them elsewhere if desired. Hens and Chicks are highly adaptable, thriving in Hardiness Zone 5 and above, and can withstand both frost and drought. For optimal growth with minimal effort, plant them in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
Sempervivum Heuffelii
Sempervivum heuffelii, similar to other Sempervivum varieties, produce chicks within the main rosette. To replant the offsets in a new location, the main rosette must be divided. These plants display rich and vibrant colors all year round and can tolerate frost and drought, making them an excellent addition to any garden. Their versatility allows them to thrive in a wide range of garden styles.
The following succulents represent just a small portion of the beauty and diversity of Sempervivum. They are all quick to fill empty spaces with mesmerizing colors and textures.
- Sempervivum ‘Royanum’: This variety stands out with its glowing apple green color and maroon tips. With rosettes measuring 6 to 8 inches in diameter, ‘Royanum’ quickly accentuates and brightens any planting bed.
- Sempervivum ‘Red Beauty’: ‘Red Beauty’ adds interest to any garden as its color changes from grey-green to red throughout the seasons. It may even develop watermarks, giving the leaves a beautiful marbleized appearance.
- Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Cebenese’: This variety features a distinctive cobweb texture and transitions from green to red over the course of a year. It is one of the largest arachnoideum species and produces 8-10 chicks on long stolons, perfect for gardens and vertical plantings.
- Sempervivum ‘Saturn’: ‘Saturn’ grows impressively large, with pointed leaves in shades of grey-green with pink tips.
- Sempervivum ‘Commander Hay’: This variety showcases changing colors throughout the year, with leaves fringed by fine hairs.
- Sempervivum calcareum ‘Fire Dragon’: ‘Fire Dragon’ creates an extensive mat of smaller rosettes. All calcareum varieties are easy to cultivate, and the red tips of ‘Fire Dragon’ add a vibrant spark to your landscape.
- Sempervivum tectorum ‘Sunset’: ‘Sunset’ grows rapidly into a captivating accent or border in any garden. It produces numerous chicks that continually surprise with new colors.
- Sempervivum ‘Pacific Blue Ice’: ‘Pacific Blue Ice’ fills beds and planters with striking rosettes of a silvery blue hue.
- Sempervivum ‘Jade Rose’: This variety forms large rosettes with bright red centers and green variegation that changes with the seasons.
- Sempervivum ‘Oddity’: ‘Oddity’ catches the eye with its unique tubular leaf shape. Plant this green and purple oddity to add fun and unique shapes to your space.
- Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Bros’: ‘Bros’ is a rare plant and a favorite among succulent enthusiasts for its deep red coloring and bright green center.
- Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Beacon Hill’: ‘Beacon Hill’ can transform your landscape with its beautiful tones of dusty purple and pale green as it spreads to cover the ground.
- Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Irene’: ‘Irene’ requires little attention but brings colorful interest to your garden through the winter with its large burgundy rosettes.
- Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Randolph’: ‘Randolph’ quickly produces new offsets with furry green leaves tipped in purple.
- Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Sundancer’: ‘Sundancer’ brings a fluorescent green punch to your garden and illuminates in reddish-gold tones throughout the summer months.
To learn more about these stunning Sempervivum and Heuffelii varieties, consider checking out Kevin Vaughn’s new book, Sempervivum: A Gardener’s Perspective on the Not-So-Humble Hens & Chicks.
