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Hens and Chicks come in all shapes and sizes... well, they are generally the same shape, but they are available in a wide range of sizes. They grow from varieties smaller than a dime to plants that are bigger than your hand. The tiny hens and chicks, like the jovibarba rollers (Hedge Hog above) and many arachnoideum varieties, are perfect for fairy gardens and delicate, indoor planters. They generally produce well and can quickly create a carpet of small rosettes. Sempervivum arachnoideum

Spring in Oregon is amazing. The rain from the winter finally pays off and everything bursts to life with a splash of color. Bright greens, pinks, reds and yellows cover the foliage. Sempervivums and the rest of the succulents are no different.For many hen and chick varieties this is when they are looking their best and most vibrant. They have woken up from their winter dormancy and started growing again. The colors are stunning. Once the summer heat comes, the coloring begins to fade on some

Last weekend I went to a workshop about hybridizing hens and chicks with Kevin Vaughn. Kevin is a geneticist. He has been working with hens and chicks for about 50 years. In the world of Sempervivum it was like discussing governments with John Adams and hearing him tell stories about the other founding fathers. Hybridizers have a very unique way of looking at plants. Most of us see a plant/flower as something fixed. A red flower is a red flower. A white flower is a white flower. Hybridizers

Sempervivum are tough little succulent plants. They can take most punishment that their owners inflict on them. These little plants punch through neglect like it's nothing. Drought doesn't phase them and cold just makes them more colorful. Despite these super powers, they have a weakness. Their kryptonite is cold, wet feet.Hens and Chicks do not like to have their roots sitting in cold water. If the plant is dry and cold, it will be okay. If it's summer time and the plant is in a puddle then it

One of our favorite things about Sempervivum succulents is that they are always changing. Every time you look at them, there is something new happening. They grow larger. They change colors throughout the year. They shoot out baby plants. They send up a flower spike. It makes them very fascinating to grow. On top of all this, sempervivum (as well as other succulents) also mutate. Mutations in succulents seem to be more common than in other plants. They have a crested form where the rosette