Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Sempervivum (Chicks and Hens)


Since so many of you commented yesterday about the Semps, I decided to give you another dose!!!!! Sempervivum come in all kinds of varieties ---but this is one plant we don't know the names (since there are so many). You can go online and check out some of the places which sell Semps--and see tons and tons of different ones of all sizes. shapes and colors. Here are some of ours. Hope you enjoy!!!!

















Remember in yesterday's post that I mentioned the fact that the Mama 'Hen' will bloom (about every two -three years). Once she blooms, she will died and her 'chicks' will take over ... Once the chicks grow enough to have babies, they will become the Mamas --and the cycle continues. Above, you can see where one Mama Hen bloomed and then died. (George just reminded me that some of our Semps have NEVER bloomed----so who knows which ones do, and how often????!!!!)








This purple one is SO pretty in the yard.





See the Semps expanding ----and spreading out over the rocks? Those are 'babies' on the ends.





Semps love being around rocks!!!








When the Mama Semps begin to bloom, they sometimes grow their 'blooms' straight up in the air. Amazing, aren't they????




Several here bloomed at the same time. The babies (which were left) looked sad for awhile --until they 'took over' and started growing themselves and expanding.




I'll end with this one ---which has pretty, small blossoms. This one is similar to the one I showed you yesterday. Hope I've talked you into putting some Semps in your yard now. They are great ---and we put them in many of the 'blank' areas around the flowerbeds to add color and beauty.

Hugs,

P.S. George's elderly parents are having some major plumbing problems. We had to go to Hendersonville to help them all day yesterday--and are going back today to meet a plumber there. I apologize for missing so many of YOUR blogs. I promise to catch up SOON. Thanks for your patience.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Betsy, These pictures are so nice. We have a few of these in our rock garden and love them. They are amazing!
Sorry about your in-laws plumbing problems. I know that is terrible and I hope you get everything corrected today.

Inday said...

Hey Betsy! They make good collections. I wish I can have each different kinds. They're easy to grow. Just plant and forget and let nature takes its course. Just be patient with the blooms. Some do and some don't. So don't be too anxious about them. I love succulents. They grow even with only one pinch that fell off the stem.

Anonymous said...

Very pretty photos!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Very interesting plant!

So it is not a flower but a plant like a flower right?

Darla said...

If I was nearby you, I'd be pinching that Semps like crazy..I am on a mission to find them. Thank you so much for sharing about them~~~~~~~

Beth said...

Your semps are beautiful, Betsy. I especially like the sixth close-up picture----the light is perfect. I have a few of these planted on a sun-baked hillside, but the grass is threatening to overtake them. I really need to do some major weed-pulling!

NCmountainwoman said...

My gramma had those, but I never once saw any blossoms. And I had no idea there were so many different kinds.

T said...

I love "hens & chicks".....I remember my grandmas having oodles of them in their rock beds!

I think I might have to start hunting down some and plant them in my yard.

Janice K said...

The semps are all so pretty. As well as never seeing them bloom, I never realized there were so many different kinds.

Hope the plumbing problems are easy to solve and have not disturbed the household too much. My parents are 93 and 97 and still living indendently. Last summer their whole basement flooded, and I remember well the trama and stress.

I pray your day goes well.

Arkansas Patti said...

SOLD. I was planning to turn a difficult spot into a rock garden and you just gave me the idea for the first tenants. Thank you.
Hope you can clear up the plumbing probems. Plumbing is so unappreciated till it goes on strike.

SmilingSally said...

Interesting plants.

I'm glad you're helping George's parents.

amelia said...

Our chicks and hens are new this year so I'm sure they will take a while to get established.
Yours are just beautiful and very healthy looking!!

Dorothy said...

Beautiful! You and George must have very green thumbs!!

Susie said...

I really like all succulents Betsy. They are so low maintenance and easy to care for.

Hope the plumbing issue gets straightened out. Ya'll be careful traveling.

Cicero Sings said...

Ugh, plumbing problems! Hope things are fixed soon and that you travel safely.

I have gotten SO behind in reading and commenting since I got Mingus ... so feel bad to hear you apologize. I don't know how you keep up!!!

Anonymous said...

i have a very similar type of plant in my little garden. nev er knew what it was called!

I Am Woody said...

You have definitely put them back on my list for the garden!!

Diane AZ said...

I'm glad you did a post about your Semps. They're so colorful and it's fascinating how they grow. I'll have to add some to my little rock garden, but it will be hard to choose which ones.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Those Hen and Chicks are so nice. I used to have them beside the house but my wife didn't like them so they are gone. I still have my flowering sedum.

Cheryl said...

I certainly learned alot about hens and chicks from your blog. I have a few that my Aunt Jean gave me last summer and anxiously keep an eye on them to see what happens with them. After seeing your photos I am delighted to see what their potential is! My grandmother used to have hens and chicks in her yard and way back then I always liked the semps.

Snap said...

Great photos, Betsy. Who knew there were so many different Hens and Chickens? !!!

penny said...

They remind me of my grandmothers gold fish pond. The sides where rocks with Chicks and Hens planted in the cracks.
Its a very pleasant memory of my childhood, Betsy...
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a kind comment.
Have a wonderful day :D

Adrienne Zwart said...

Betsy, I've never tried to grow these, but I remember my grandparents having some in their patio garden. That's amazing to see the bloom--I never saw any of my grandma's do that.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This reminds me of the circle of life...one dies to give others life. Great pictures. Be safe on your travels today.
Hugs, suz

Elaine said...

Betsy, I had no idea there were so many different varieties of these. I was just familiar with one particular kind. Very interesting...you've given me something else to investigate....I just can't resist plants! Be blessed as you travel today!
Elaine :)

Tina said...

Betsy,
Away and buying some internet min...tee he.
Your pictures are really nice..so many different colors of reds and greens. So many babies at your house this year...first the blues and now the Semps!!
:)

Randy said...

Wow! What a collection. Jamie really likes them, I didn't realize they came in so many colors.--Randy

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hello Betsy,

Thanks for dropping by for a visit....Glad you are close enough to help his parents.

These semps are so pretty...I know them as hens and chics?? Obviously, there are many different ones. Glad to know they do well in your yard...what do you do in the wintertime to protect them?

Steph

Bird said...

There is a beautiful cottage in a small Cornish village that I know, which has these plants growing on the roof - all over the roof in a cascade. One year they all flowered together, and there were clouds of butterflies dancing in them. I have never seen anything like it. Thank you for posting these lovely pictures and reminding me of that sight!

Sunny said...

I will definately check further to see if they would grow in this area. Thanks for all the info.
Sunny :)

Deborah Godin said...

I love how they fill in around the rocks. I'm looking for something similar up here, maybe alyssum.

Stephen Loucka said...

Hi Betsy,
Thank you for visiting my blog. I've added myself as a friend to your blog. I enjoy reading your entries and will work my backwards and catch up on your entries.

Stephen

A Brit in Tennessee said...

I have some of the hens and chickens in strawberry pots. They look so cute poking out of the little side holes.
I love the ones that are running all over your rocks, they are just taking over !
The fact that they are very little to no maintenace is a plus.

Diane said...

Thanks for the info on the hen and chickens, Betsy.

troutbirder said...

Beautiful flowers and birds. What more could anyone ask for??? Thanks

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love hens and chicks. I have my husband's Grandmothers....Wonderful post...m.

Rosa said...

Hens and chiks, Cats and kittens, I love them all! I just bought a beginner for a friend while I was gone. I hope she has as much luck with hers as you do yours. Wow! An explosion. Love the red/purple! xo Hope your inlaws plumbing gets fixed. The worst! yuk.

Joy said...

What interesting and beautiful plants. The colors are so pretty. I love them growing in the rocks.

Cookie said...

Wow! I never knew what those were called. ANd I love the pic where they are standing straight up!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

They are pretty.I will have to try some sometime.Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,Ruth

Tammie Lee said...

I love succulents. They seem like friendly little beings and they grow quite fast. Your photos show their wonderful beauty.
spirithelpers

Jackie said...

Hey, Betsy!

Very interesting post. I had hens and chicks at my previous house, and kinda forgot all about 'em. Thanks or reminding me about them again!

Yes, I'm getting extremely excited to be leaving in only a week to go get Ciara. I really can't believe it's finally happening. I'll keep you posted, lol

Jackie

Happily Retired Gal said...

What a fascinating plant! I enjoyed all your lovely photos and information too.
Hugs and blessings,

Janie said...

I've seen this plant but I didn't know anything about it. Interesting!

Connie said...

What an interesting plant, Betsy. I've heard of hens and chicks, but the ones I've seen are a little different than yours. Must be a different variety. Neat!

Mary said...

I like all the hens and chicks....wonderful colors and textures.