These plants are “pretty tough,” and we mean that both ways:

They’re beautiful – and also rugged - SEMPERVIVUM (“Hen & Chicks”)

The Latin name means “Live forever.” A tad optimistic, yes, but it hints at how sturdy this genus is. Myriad variations in size, form and color share a common theme: A rosette of succulent leaves (the “hen”) makes little copies of itself (“chicks”) until it’s surrounded.

Do not let the cuteness factor fool you: These babies and their mamas can really rough it, all the way down to Zone 3! They happily adorn borders, rock gardens or containers, alone or with other succulents.