Gertens Plant Finder

Other Names:  House Leek

Brand:  Gertens

Description:

Commander Hay is the perfect, older, hardy, drought tolerant succulent for rock gardens; this variety produces dusty gray-green leaves that develop into deep red with green tips for a stunning display of colour; a lovely low addition to containers

Ornamental Features

Commander Hay Hen And Chicks is primarily valued in the garden for its distinctive form, with the flower stalks towering over the foliage. It features unusual clusters of green star-shaped flowers with pink bracts rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive succulent pointy leaves emerge grayish green in spring, turning dark red in color with prominent light green tips throughout the season. The brick red stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Commander Hay Hen 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

Commander Hay Hen And Chicks is recommended for the following landscape applications;

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

Planting & Growing

Commander Hay Hen And Chicks will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 10 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 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. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

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 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.

Commander Hay Hen 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.

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