There are few plants that can match the endurance of a colony. The Latin name Sempervivum is a combination of two words: semper - eternal and vivus - living. The attention of botanists did not escape the fact that these succulents retain their leaves also in winter.The natural habitat of the swarmer is mountainous, which means that it withstands heat, drought and cold.
As you can easily guess, this is an ideal plant for a rock garden. It feels very well in sterile soil, it is also suitable for growing in a container on a sunny balcony or terrace. Hormones are flowering plants, but are nevertheless grown mainly for their leaves.
One of the most popular rock perennials is S. tectorum, also known as the stone rose. It is a species that is not uniform in terms of developmental features.Currently, there are many of its subspecies that differ in size, color, flowers, sometimes they are treated as separate species.
The wall swarm blooms in shades of pink or red in June and July, the flower stalk grows to a height of 50 cm.The leaves of this species are fleshy, gathered in a compact rose, usually dark green, purple at the ends.The 'Purpureum' variety forms rosettes of 20 centimeters in diameter with a pink-purple color.
The variety 'Sir W. Lawrence' has smaller rosettes (up to 10 cm in diameter) with leaves with brown tips. Stems with young rosettes grow between the leaves of the swarm, which are very viable and quickly develop roots.The maternal rosette dies after flowering. In the past, the wall swarm was attributed with magical power, because it was believed that it guards against lightning (that's why it was planted on roofs and walls).
The cobweb S. arachnoideum has a very decorative foliage. His rosettes are covered with a spider web of fine hairs. The flower stalks are 15 cm long and the flowers are pink.Perennial can be grown in rockeries in dry, barren positions.It grows well in boxes, pots, on dry walls, and even between paving slabs and cobblestones.
Spider mite blooms in July. The cultivar 'Rubin' has purple-pink leaves. It is a plant resistant to low temperatures, does not require watering and fertilizing. The garden is also home to S. montanum. This species blooms in July and August, its flower shoots reach a height of 20 cm.
From beliefs to facts
Formerly it was believed that the swarm protects the house from lightning strikes.Is it true? Well … let's judge for ourselves. What is certain is that the clematis is a valuable medicinal plant. Perennial has an effect similar to aloe. Fresh juice squeezed from the leaves can be used as a first aid for insect bites and as a natural remedy for skin discoloration.
Tea leaves (3-4 per liter of water) can be prepared, which effectively soothes stomach irritations and gingivitis.
