Overview
Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress' 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 'Emerald Empress' 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 'Emerald Empress' is a cultivar of the Sempervivum genus, which comprises perennial, mat-forming succulents known for their dense rosettes and evergreen, fleshy leaves. This cultivar features pointed leaves in shades of green, grey, or red, thriving in full sun and well-drained, gritty soils such as loam or sand with a range of pH levels. Suitable for rock gardens, scree beds, wall crevices, troughs, and alpine houses, it is hardy to UK zone H5 and extremely drought-tolerant once established. It produces star-shaped flowers in summer and can be propagated by offsets in spring.
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
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 'Emerald Empress' 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 'Emerald Empress'
- Propagation
- Offsets in spring
- Pest resistance
- Vine weevil, Sempervivum leaf miner, Slugs, Snails
- Disease resistance
- Rust
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress'?
Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress' need?
Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress' grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress' hardy in the UK?
Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Sempervivum 'Emerald Empress'?
Offsets in spring.