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Alpine RockeryCactus Succulent

Sempervivum 'Tristesse'

houseleek 'Tristesse'

A mat-forming evergreen succulent, with rosettes of fleshy, pointed, reddish purple leaves. In summer it produces a 15cm tall flowerspike bearing starry pink flowers. The rosettes die after flowering but are replaced by offsets on lateral runners

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Crassulaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Sempervivum are evergreen perennials forming mats of fleshy-leaved rosettes, often attractively coloured, with star-shaped pink or pale yellow flowers in summer
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun. In pots use a 50:50 mix of loam-based potting compost and grit. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by removal of offsets in spring and early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil larvae

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust diseases

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