Sempervivum altum
tall houseleek
An evergreen, mat-forming perennial comprising rosettes, up to 4cm across, of light green, hairy, succulent leaves with tips that turn red in strong light. Offsets are produced on stolons that are up to 12cm long and pink to purple flowers, with yellow anthers, are held above the foliage on stems up to 40cm tall
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Sempervivum are evergreen perennials forming mats of fleshy-leaved rosettes, often attractively coloured, with star-shaped pink or pale yellow flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Caucasus
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile gritty soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house
Propagation
Propagate by rooting offsets in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Gravel garden
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil and sempervivum leaf miner
Diseases
May be affected by a rust
Get involved
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