Overview

Sempervivum 'Elgar' is a matforming, rosette-forming alpine rockery in the genus Sempervivum, part of the Crassulaceae family, with evergreen, fleshy, pointed leaves, green, grey, red foliage. Sempervivum 'Elgar' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough and alpine house.

About

Sempervivum 'Elgar' is a mat-forming succulent in the Crassulaceae that forms tight rosettes of fleshy, pointed leaves. The foliage shows green, grey and red tones at different times of the year. It prefers full sun in a well-drained loam or sandy soil and is hardy (H5) in the UK. It flowers June to August.

About the genus

Sempervivum is a genus of about 40 species of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, commonly known as houseleeks. Other common names include liveforever and hen and chicks, a name shared with plants of other genera as well. They are succulent perennials forming mats composed of tufted leaves in rosettes.

Wikipedia contributors, "Sempervivum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Sempervivum

In the garden

Sempervivum 'Elgar' is a cultivated sempervivum with the typical rosette habit of the genus, producing low, mat-forming clusters of fleshy, pointed leaves that can display green, grey and red tones. As a member of the Crassulaceae it suits dry, sunny positions and accepts a wide soil pH range from acid to alkaline. Place 'Elgar' in full sun on a free-draining loam or sandy substrate; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground. It tolerates both exposed and sheltered sites and will grow on south-, east-, west- or north-facing aspects. Hardiness is H5, meaning it is considered hardy in typical UK gardens without the need for winter protection. Use it where a low, drought-tolerant surface is required: rock gardens, scree beds, wall crevices, gravel troughs and alpine houses are all appropriate. Keep planting positions sharply drained and give only occasional water in the growing season. For a practical finish, plant Sempervivum 'Elgar' flush with the surrounding stone so the rosette surface reads as part of the masonry and it will flower in June to August.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Sempervivum

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Sempervivum 'Elgar' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Alpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent

Habit

Matforming, Rosette-forming

Foliage

Evergreen, Fleshy, Pointed leaves, Green, Grey, Red

Suggested uses

Rock garden, Scree bed, Wall crevice, Trough, Alpine house

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Sempervivum 'Elgar'

Propagation

Offsets in spring

Pest resistance

Vine weevil, Sempervivum leaf miner, Slugs, Snails

Disease resistance

Rust

Frequently asked questions