Sempervivums, sometimes called houseleeks or hens-and-chicks, are hardy, succulent plants that grow in the wild between rocks in mountainous regions. They look superb when grown in containers, in rock gardens, and in dry stone walls and cracks in paving, especially alongside low evergreen plants such as sedums. Although they look outstanding in winter when there's little else of interest in the garden, sempervivums also look great in summer, when, tall, conical spikes of greenish pink flowers emerge from the centre of mature plants.
Sempervivum 'Gay Jester' is a particularly pretty houseleek, bearing medium-sized rosettes of red spoon-shaped leaves, which lighten to mid-green at the tips. Short spikes of pink flowers appear in summer.
For best results, grow Sempervivum 'Gay Jester' in full sun in well-drained soil, preferably in containers with added horticultural grit to aid drainage. Sempervivums don't need feeding, but do benefit from being repotted each year into compost containing slow-release fertiliser. Propagate new plants by gently teasing out the small baby rosettes (chicks) which appear around the main plant (hen), and transplant to a new location.
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
yes
Divide
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Sempervivum ‘Gay jester’ and wildlife
Sempervivum ‘Gay jester’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Sempervivum ‘Gay jester’ poisonous?
Sempervivum ‘Gay jester’ has no toxic effects reported.
