I went to buy a new bird feeder & suet blocks and came back with plants and a duvet. The plants were some more lavender plants and more heuchera together with a bargain collection of sempervivum. I couldn’t really see why they were reduced beyond that they clearly had been around for a while as there were weeds in amongst the pots. I love the patterns that these plants make with their spikes and rosettes - they definitely are good plants for photographers.

Sempervivum are otherwise known as houseleeks liveforever and hen&chicks. They are beautiful succulents that I treat as alpines. I have two troughs full and more in the ‘rock’ garden next to the pond. They seem to like the crevices if not the clay the mound is made from.. They don’t like the cold and wet as far as I can tell but I do have some pretty survivors. The little rosettes are worth potting up as new plants - they divide naturally from the parent plant.

Sempervivum earn their place in the Magic Garden by their use for pain relief - described by Culpepper as being good for both inward and outward heat. Their use is similar to aloe vera. There is also a belief that the presence of houseleeks is a sign of health & prosperity.