Carmen Hens And Chicks

Other Names: House Leek

Ornamental Features:

Carmen Hens And Chicks's attractive succulent pointy leaves are green in colour with prominent dark red tips. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous deep purple in the fall. It features unusual clusters of pink star-shaped flowers with dark red bracts rising above the foliage in mid summer. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The brick red stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes:

Carmen Hens And Chicks is a dense herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This perennial will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Carmen Hens And Chicks is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Container Planting
• General Garden Use
• Border Edging

Plant Characteristics:

Carmen Hens And Chicks will grow to be only 3 inches tall at maturity extending to 8 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This perennial should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This plant can be propagated by division.

This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.