Hens and chicks (genus Sempervivum) and stonecrop (genus Sedum) are easy-to-grow, disease-resistant, insect-resistant, and hardy in this area (zone 8). They come in a wide variety of textures, shapes, sizes, and colors. They are drought-tolerant, easy to propagate, and considered low-maintenance. They require well-drained soil and full sun for optimum growth.

In this garden, these conditions are met by planting in a raised bed that is slanted in the direction of the sun and amending the soil with 25% coarse sand, 25% volcanic pumice, and 50% previously-used nursery soil. The top-dressing of small pebbles is used to hold the shallow-rooted plants in place, minimize soil disruption from water, soil splashing on plants, and to regulate soil temperature.

Don’t bother trying to trace the heritage of a named cultivar, it may be impossible. The species are often not easy to identify, even a single clone can look very different under various growing conditions and at different times of the year.

(Planted July 2015)