Hens and Chicks

Hens and Chicks are one of my favorite plants in our yard.  It's probably due to nostalgia - my Granny had them in her yard when I was small.

The Latin name for Hens and Chicks is Sempervivum Tectorum; sempervivum meaning evergreen and tectorum meaning on roofs...  Interestingly enough, Hens and Chicks were traditionally planted on the thatched roofs in Europe.  According to folklore, they were placed there to protect against lightening-started fires.  This may have some basis in truth...  As succulents with a mat-forming tendency, they probably did slow the
spread of fire through the thatch.