Hens and Chicks - Gold Nugget

BOTANICAL NAME: Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget'
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 20 cm
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 12 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Full sun
FLOWER COLOUR: yellow-gold hues, cherry-burgundy
FLOWERING TIME: Summer, fall
FOLIAGE COLOUR: light green 
COLD HARDINESS: Zone 3 ( Should survive up to -39.9° Celsius )
WATER NEEDS: Average to dry - Drought tolerant
OTHER FEATURES: Attractive Foliage, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Succulent, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden

Description:

A lovely perennial succulent that has a symmetrical round shape; takes on midsummer yellow-gold hues that turn to tones of cherry and burgundy in cooler weather; ideal accent for containers or rock gardens

Ornamental Features

Gold Nugget™ Hens And Chicks's attractive succulent pointy leaves emerge light green in spring, turning gold in colour with showy cherry red variegation and tinges of orange. As an added bonus, the foliage turns gorgeous shades of burgundy and gold in the fall. It features tiny panicles of pink flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.

Landscape Attributes

Gold Nugget™ 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 plant 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

Gold Nugget™ Hens And Chicks is recommended for the following landscape applications;

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

Planting & Growing

Gold Nugget™ 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 5 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 5 inches apart. 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 plant 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 particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Gold Nugget™ Hens And Chicks is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.