Here's a closer view of one of the varieties of Sempervivum/Hens & Chicks. It's called 'Cobweb'. With the snow gone now, the tiny white threads are just starting to criss cross the rosettes. Enlarge if you have a second.
There are about 60 species and over 3,500 named varieties of Hens & Chicks. Rockwall Gardens, which is not too far from here, sells over 100 varieties. A quick peek at this page is a real eye opener: http://www.rockwallgardens.com/Semps.html
@busylady thanks for dropping by judith! the rosettes are the hens and as they mature they give of little shoots of baby rosettes which are the chicks.
just thought of something ~ they have lots of these out in California, but they are GIANT ~ will have to find a photo to post once I get past my year and can resort back to fillers (that's the only way I'll survive another year ;-)
the first time i saw these plants was during the doors open toronto in 2006 when i went to the toronto botanical gardens and they have a number of varieties of this plant alone. i should go back there this summer. anywho, i'm trying to convince the partner to drive down to ottawa for the tulips as i've never seen them and i've been here more than 20 years. been to ottawa five times but always in the winter :-(
