Sempervivum in bloom, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. July 2, 2009.
I’ve mentioned before that Betsy and I have planted sempervivum (hens and chicks) around the house. Sempervivum are succulent evergreen perennials that produce low, compact, evergreen, flower-like rosettes of succulent leaves. The plants send out numerous offsets, and spread in this manner to form a dense colony. The parent rosettes are the hens, and the smaller rosettes that spring from them are the chicks.
The name Sempervivum has its origin in the Latin Semper — which means forever — and vivo — which means live. Sempervivum are called ‘live forever‘ because this perennial plant keeps its leaves in winter even when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Although grown for its foilage, usually in rock gardens or containers, hens and chicks do flower. Flower stems up to 18 inches develop from the hen and produce blossoms with color varying from rose to pink.
The hens will die after flowering, but by that time they will have produced numerous chicks to take their place.
The picture above is of hens in bloom in one of our flower beds. The stem will last for a couple of weeks before wilting away. It’s a shame that the hens have to die, but what a way to go!!!
Senior Moments 
July 23, 2009 at 6:41 am |
George: Those are wonderful blooms. I never had ones that bloomed and my wife never like them.
July 23, 2009 at 7:25 am |
I’ve seen hens and chicks a thousand times but I had no idea they produced such lovely blossoms. Absolutely amazing.
July 23, 2009 at 7:27 am |
Those are pretty little blooms.
Great explanation in this plant George. Now I need to borrow your green thumb.
July 23, 2009 at 7:33 am |
What a pretty little clump of flowers. Enjoyed the info on it too.
July 23, 2009 at 7:58 am |
I love hen and chicks. I didn’t know they bloomed! I think this might be one plant I could keep alive. I might try it.
July 23, 2009 at 10:21 am |
Thanks for all the info on the hens and chicks. Mine have gotten those tall off shoots with buds on them but haven’t flowered and now they look like they are dying.
July 23, 2009 at 10:27 am |
I had not a clue that these little guys produced flowers!!! SO cute!
July 23, 2009 at 2:30 pm |
They do have unique flowers,but pretty in their own way.
July 23, 2009 at 3:41 pm |
I’ve never seen the hens and chicks bloom either. They ARE very unique and very pretty.
July 23, 2009 at 7:57 pm |
such little beauties!
July 23, 2009 at 8:14 pm |
I’ve never seen them in bloom before! Amazing!
July 24, 2009 at 2:18 am |
It always cracks me up when they flower–well not literally—but they can go for quite awhile before flowering and then Ka-boom! they all flower at once and some can be quite odd looking. Yours are very nice. MB
July 24, 2009 at 7:18 am |
I never knew the hens died. It makes me think of “century plants.” I’ve seen one bloom (they all die after they bloom), and another next to it. I wonder if it produced the one next to it of if it was planted. (It was in a yard.) I also don’t think I’ve seen the same types of hens and chicks you have. 18″tall stalks for blooms is new to me.
July 24, 2009 at 9:29 am |
Well, I learned something again! What a wonderful way to finish one’s life – in full bloom and loads of offspring to carry on!
July 24, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
I have never seen them bloom. They are so pretty!
July 26, 2009 at 9:17 am |
Beautiful! This is a new plant to me with lovely blossoms. Thanks so much for sharing ;–)
Hugs and blessings,
July 27, 2009 at 4:37 pm |
Those blooms are nicer than I have ever seen.