Sempervivum 'Tristesse'
houseleek 'Tristesse'
A mat-forming evergreen succulent, with rosettes of fleshy, pointed, reddish purple leaves. In summer it produces a 15cm tall flowerspike bearing starry pink flowers. The rosettes die after flowering but are replaced by offsets on lateral runners
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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 | Red Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Red Purple | ||
| Autumn | Red Purple | |||
| Winter | Red Purple |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun. In pots use a 50:50 mix of peat-free, loam-based potting compost and grit. Protect from excessive winter wet. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by removal of offsets in spring and early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil larvae
Diseases
May be susceptible to rust diseases
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