Sempervivum: A Gardener's Perspective of the Not-So-Humble Hens-and-Chicks

by Kevin C. Vaughn

Overview

Sempervivum have long fascinated gardeners and are useful plants for gardening situations in which other plants might fail. Many people are aware of only a single, rather uninteresting green cultivar, but selections from the wild and the work of hybridizers have resulted in over 7,000 cultivars with a range in size from 1/2 in. to over one foot in diameter and colors from gold to black. Clearly the gardener has never had a better choice. This book covers all aspects of their history, taxonomy, culture, propagation, hybridizing, people involved in the production of Sempervivum, and a long list of cultivars that are recommended for the gardener. Color illustrations show not only the cultivars, but garden uses and cultural practices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764355127
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date:	05/28/2018
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Kevin Vaughn has been breeding and growing Sempervivum since he was nine years old. From his hybridizing work, he has introduced about 80 cultivars to the market, including the award winning "Lipstick" and "Jungle Shadows." These early experiments in plant hybridizing led to a PhD in botany and a career with the USDA. Since moving to Oregon in 2010, he has organized a yearly “Hybridizers Clinic”
and produces from 4-6,000 new seedlings each year from his breeding efforts.

Table of Contents

Preface 4

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Sempervivum 8

Chapter 2 Culture and uses of Sempervivum in the Garden 22

Chapter 3 Sempervivum Species 43

Chapter 4 Recommended Cultivars 61

Chapter 5 Methods of Propagation 118

Chapter 6 Pests and Diseases 125

Chapter 7 Hybridizing Sempervivum 131

Chapter 8 People that Helped Develop or Promote Sempervivum 163

Appendix Annotated Bibliography Websites and Sources 202