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- Sempervivum Kramer Spinrad cristata
Sempervivum Kramer Spinrad cristata
Plant likes full sun, can tolerate partial shade. It is suitable for the rock garden or portable containers.
In a pot, water after the substrate has dried out. When placing in a rock garden, water at your own discretion.
The plant is fully frost hardy.
This is a crested form of houseleek, which is very rare. However, it is not so stable and can revert - return to its original form.
Sempervivum Kramer Spinrad cristata, sometimes called Sempervivum Kramer's Spinrad cristata, was cultivated in 1979. The original form is derived from Sempervivum arachnoideum and another succulent whose exact identity is not entirely clear. It is probably Sempervivum Gamma or Sempervivum Granat.
The green leaves grow in spiked rosettes and turn pinkish to red at its margins during the year. A dense white web appears on the houseleek. This is particularly pronounced in summer, when the rosettes turn an extra deep red in the sun. The cristate form is not very common, which is why it is a prized collector's piece.
They thrive in sunny locations where they can tolerate high temperatures and drought. They prefer well-drained soil, preferably stony or sandy, but are not very demanding. They are an ideal choice for rockeries, dry walls or roofs. Thanks to their shallow roots, they can take hold in a small amount of substrate almost anywhere. Watering should be rather moderate, overwatering could cause root rot. Fertilizing is not necessary, as the sedges can get by with very little nutrients. In general, therefore, almost no care is needed and the houseleek will grow happily in almost any drier, bright location.