Sempervivum Sunday: S. 'Lively Bug'

First of the properly hairy varieties, S. 'Lively Bug' is a cultivar from the US.  This photo shows why it is worth a spot in any collection

This is a young plant with its summer colour; a brilliant purple/red. For the rest of the year they are green. The young leaves are covered in fine hairs, which are less prominent as they age. The spiral to the leaves, is very neat and is another of the draws. It fits in the medium size category about 6 to 8cm.

New plants form on short stolons from the lowest set of leaves.  These tend to be well distributed around the plant forming a neatly clustered group of plants, matching the very symmetrical rosette of the parent. Once the offsets grow and the whole group take on their summer colour there make a fine pot to have out on display.

As with many of the very structural forms, these tend to look best in their first few generations, before the pot gets too crowded and the clump becomes a bit messy.  At that stage I tend to select the largest plant and start over again.

They flower early summer with pink flows on top unbranched stem. Not the strongest colour, but beautiful flowers if you get in a bit closer.

Copes without problems with winter rain, although does die back a bit. Summer heat seems to be as big problem (which we found for the first time this year). Growth stops totally and getting the balance right yo ensure you get the summer colour without drying the plant out so much is a bit trial and error.

The stats:

• Cultivar
• Size: medium (6-8cm)
• Summer Colour:Reddish Purple
• Rosette: Neat, very structural spiral
• Offsets: Lots, coming from the base of the plant, on short stolons
• Clump: Clumps quickly, forming very neat groups
• Flower: Pink on thick stalks
• Winter hardiness: Good, no problems with being wet and cold.