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Sempervivum calcareum 'Mrs Giuseppi'

Image of Sempervivum calcareum 'Mrs Giuseppi'

Family

Crassulaceae

Botanical Name

Sempervivum calcareum 'Mrs Giuseppi'

Plant Common Name

Houseleek

General Description

Sempervivum calcareum is an evergreen perennial from the Southwest Alps grown for its relatively large fleshy rosettes of blue-green leaves. The cultivar 'Mrs. Giuseppe' has showy burgundy-red leaf tips.

The symmetrical, dome-shaped rosettes of this hardy perennial are densely packed with numerous pale green, blue-tinged, tongue-shaped leaves with pointed, deep red tips. The rosettes multiply via short-stalked offsets to form dense mats. In summer, some older rosettes bear clusters of starry, yellow-eyed, pale pink blooms on thick stalks with clasping scale-like leaves. Rosettes that flower die soon thereafter.

Like other succulents, sempervivums don’t ask for deep soils but prefer an infertile sharply drained growing medium. Winter dampness is death to them. Europeans have long grown them on tile roofs, whence the common name "houseleeks." Plant them in sandy gravelly infertile soil in sunny rock gardens, stone troughs, or crevices. Offsets may be severed and rooted in sand to create a whole new plant. Severed offsets are also useful for filling the gaps left by dead rosettes.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    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 or Succulent

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    4"-6" / 10.2cm - 15.2cm

  • Width

    1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer

  • Native To

    Europe

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Rosette/Stemless

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Light Pink

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Red, Blue Green, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Red, Blue Green, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Blue Green, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Red, Blue Green, Burgundy

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Alpine, Container, Groundcover, Rock Garden / Wall

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No