Question: Are there any soft succulents that will tolerate below freezing temperature or snow? L.S., Bloomington, IL

Although most succulents must be protected from freezing, there are a few species of soft succulents that can tolerate freezing temperatures, including many varieties sempervivums and some sedums. On a recent visit to Goshen, Indiana, I was fascinated to see a host of these plants growing and thriving between rocks and along walkways in my sister-in-law’s garden. Though these images of Sempervivum tectorum and Sedum anglicum were shot in July, we are assured they survived quite nicely one of the Midwest’s snowiest winters on record. Sempervivum arachnoideum is available for sale.

Sempervivum arachnoideum