SEMPERVIVUM. Houseleek. Europe, North Africa, West Asia. These are hardy succulents grown for their mats of neat rosettes. The leaves are variable in size and color, nearly triangular in outline and sometimes covered by cobweb-like hairs. Older rosettes produce short stems of pink to greenish, narrow-petalled blossoms, then die, to be quickly covered over by new shoots. Interesting and durable plants for rock gardens, containers, and chinks in walls. Sun or light shade, well drained soil, moderate watering. Hardy to below 0^oF.

arachnoideum. Cobweb houseleek. One of the most prolific of the group, with 1/2" to 1" grey green rosettes covered by web-like white hairs. ‘Cebanese’ is a cultivar with particularly large rosettes. This species is especially demanding of good soil drainage.

‘Green Giant’. A particularly large-growing selection, with rosettes to 6" and dark, bluish green leaves, red tinged in the cooler months.

‘Greenei’. One of the most colorful, with grey green leaves tipped with maroon even in summer. The outer half or more of each leaf is painted maroon in winter, making an even more vivid contrast.

‘Oddity’. This strange little freak has nearly cylindrical leaves, with fluted ends, deep green in overall color, with purplish tips and heavy purple shading in winter. It will appeal to collectors of succulents, though it can hardly be called beautiful.

‘Purple Beauty’. Distinguished by smallish but densely packed rosettes, colored deep purple in winter.

‘Red Beauty’. This selection has medium-sized rosettes tinged with red during the warmer months and completely overlaid with burgundy in winter.