Sempervivum montanum ssp montanum

Succulent perennial of the Crassulaceae family, one of the most widespread and characteristic houseleeks of the European alpine massifs. It is present in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Northern Apennines, and the Carpathians, on siliceous or crystalline substrates, rarely on limestone. It colonizes rocks, screes, rocky high-altitude grasslands, and wall crevices, generally between 1,500 and 3,000 meters, sometimes beyond.

The rosettes are small to medium, 2 to 5 cm in diameter, composed of oval-spatulate leaves, medium green to bright green, covered with a fine glandular hairiness that gives them a slightly dull and matte appearance, very different from the shine of other species of the genus. This sticky touch is one of the immediate distinctive characteristics of the subspecies. The clumps form dense and tight cushions, with short stolons, which slowly expand into compact colonies.

The flowers are star-shaped, bright pink-purple to magenta, borne on slender and reddish stems 5 to 15 cm tall. They appear in numbers on well-established clumps and their strong hue contrasts sharply with the green of the surrounding vegetation.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from July to September depending on the altitude. In cultivation, it generally occurs in June-August.

It requires a siliceous, poor, very well-drained substrate, and full sun. It does not tolerate limestone and stagnant moisture well. Its slow growth makes it an ideal candidate for carefully tended rock gardens, alpine troughs, and naturalistic mountain gardens.