Houseleek

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Europe

Location

Heasley Rock Garden

Source of plant

James Clauson

Description

Rosettes dense, mostly open, 1" to 1 1/2" wide; leaves 40 to 50, 1/2" to 1" long, glandular-pubescent, thehairs mostly longer at the tip and on the edges; flower stems 2" to 4" or more; flowers 10- to 15-merous, 1 1/2" wide, violet-purple, petals linear-lanceolate, 3/8" to 3/4" long; summer-blooming (DS 3). Extremelyvariable and widespread in Europe, but typically it forms small, hairy, dull green rosettes, and in someforms there is a distinct purple tip to the leaves; short stems carry flowers of reddish-purple. It interbreeds freely, and there are many hybrids claiming this species as one of their parents (DS 147).

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

notable texture, winter interest