Hens and Chicks
I was poking around the neighborhood garden center today and I bought myself a tiny $3.00 container of Hens and Chicks. This is an old fashioned perennial and a succulent. Succulents store water in their leaves, stems and roots, which make them drought tolerant. The Latin name Sempervivum tectorum means “Always lives on Roofs”. In olden times, Europeans would plant them on their thatched roofs for protection against fires caused by lightening. The cute English name is a bit more straight forward. The Hens are considered the main plant and the chicks are the babies.
I have these, too. They were planted by the previous owner, and make it through the winter.
Comment by Margaret — May 6, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
Out here in the country, we have friends with hens and chicks. We buy their eggs. Not the same thing, I’m thinking…
Comment by Ben — May 6, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Hate to tell you Ben- She’s more “in the country” than you are!!
Comment by Margaret — May 6, 2008 @ 9:04 pm