Sempervivum in the Fall...

As the nights finally start to cool off in what has to be the longest and warmest summer ever, the Sempervivum come into their own. It helps to have a bit of rain too, to get them out of the dormancy caused by extreme drought and heat.
This is my favorite time of the year to photograph my ever growing collection; some of the plants don't look like much of anything the rest of the year, just plain, bland green. In the fall, they will suddenly emerge with watermarks, red centers or outer leaves, splotches of blushing color, or deepen entirely to jewel like tones.
When I grow Sempervivum from seed, this is when I evaluate them for potential new beauties; with the numbers that I have it's almost impossible to find room for all of them, so I have to pick and choose.
The odd and unusual ones are the first to be pulled from the group; these will be potted into 4" pots for more evaluation; sometimes it can take two or three years of growing them to determine if you have a winner, or another dud. Even the duds can have a home though; with as many craft ideas as I have, you need lots and lots of them...
The first hybrid in my collection produced from a purchased batch of seed - I'll be collecting seed from this one for further crosses...
Sempervivum 'Aldo Moro' with typical fall coloration...
Sempervivum 'Big Blue' living up to its name...
This looks like a rainbow, ranging from deepest purple in the center, through green to orange on the outside leaves...
I always come back to this one, just to check on the changes...
Seedlings from last year are showing their potential now...patience...
It will be a while for these to show their true colors...
Selling the online plant business is a bittersweet experience for me; this is the final order still to go, for wedding favors in October.
Subtle and lovely fall colors...
Drought Smart Plants
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Krista Saunders Krista Saunders on Jan 16, 2019

    When you are growing from seed, what substrate do you use and do you sterile it? You have inspired me to try growing my own from seed, do you have any tips for beginners? I’m in love with Sedum and Sempervivum because of you.... Thanks😉

  • Janet Janet on Jun 08, 2019

    We call them Hen and Chicks. In the summer of 2010 I thinned out my moms flower bed bc the Hen and Chicks were not only cramped for space but they were getting out into the grass. I took some of the ones I had thinned out and just stuck them in the ground somewhere else in her flower bed and I took the rest home and stuck them in a planter I had. Mom past away the next Feb. I am now a full time RVer. I take my planter everywhere we go. I feel like I’m taking mom along with us. I also give away starts from my planter to new friends along the way as the planter gets over crowded pretty quick.

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