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Home > Plant profiles > Sempervivum ‘Noir’
Sempervivum ‘Noir’
 Botanical name: Sempervivum tectorum ‘Noir’.
Common names: ‘artichauts des montagnes’, ‘Houseleek’ and ‘Hen-and Chickens’.
History: In ornamental horticulture, the use of Houseleeks started in the 14th century when they were used as plants in low-maintenance borders. At the same time, the genus was the object of all the attention of the botanists of this time. With the appearance and the success in interest of rock gardens the infatuation increased. The advent of the first cultivars, more colourful than the natural clones, increased the amount of support for the Sempervivum. The common name Houseleeks was obtained as they historically were used to fill gaps in the roofs of houses, quite literally stopping the house leak!
Origin: Sempervivum tectorum ‘Common Houseleek’ Mountains of Southern Europe.
Name: Sempervivum meaning always living, living forever and tectorum meaning referring to roof.
Comments: This plant is ideally suited to container planting and can be grown in relatively shallow containers with as little as 8 cm of soil depth. Sempervivums are ‘monocarpic’, meaning they will bloom and set seed only once, usually at about 4 years of age. They will then wither and die but by that time numerous rosettes will have been produced to replace the original. These plants are ideally suited to rock gardens, dry walls and are used as edging for borders. They are also used as carpet bedding plants and as contrast plants in perennial borders. In some gardening domains Sempervivums are considered as ‘plants for beginners’ as they are very difficult to lose!
Tips: Our tip for Sempervivum tectorum ‘Noir’ is that the plant makes an excellent statement in a perennial border either as single specimens or in a large sweeping mass. The evergreen perennial’s deep red coloured leaves will stand out all year round and will only be outdone when the plant starts flowering. They can easily be grown on roof tiles, rock walls and in paving stone crevices where they are well suited. To propagate this plant, detach the young plants from the main body of the clump and replant in early autumn or spring. They are exceptional specimen plants that can be used to great effect in containers of any size. Combine them with coloured gravel or polished river pebbles for an eye-catching feature in any style of garden.
Contacts:
The Sempervivum Society,
Attn: Peter J. Mitchell,
11 Wingle Tye Road,
Burgess Hill,
West Sussex, RH15 9HR, UK.
Fax: (44) 1444 236848.
Information: www.millwalkhouse.co.uk
Family: Crassulaceae.
Plant type: Evergreen perennial.
Size (HxW): 15cm x 40cm.
Depth and spacing: Plant as to the same depth as in the pot and 40cm apart.
Watering: Water well to settle in and sparingly once established. Reduce water over winter as they resent the winter wet.
Frost tolerance: Fully hardy.
Flowering time: Summer.
Soil: Poor to moderately fertile well drained soil. pH 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral).
Aspect: Full sun to light-shade.
Climate: Cool to sub-tropical.
Pruning: None required.
Fertilizer: Benefit from a spring application of a weak general purpose fertilizer.
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