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Sedum
Easy-Care Drought-Tolerant Beauty
Sedum, commonly known as Stonecrop, is a diverse group of succulent plants treasured by gardeners for their unique beauty, incredible toughness, and ease of care. Whether you choose low-growing groundcovers or taller, upright varieties, Sedum offers compelling benefits:
- Exceptionally Low Maintenance: One of the easiest perennials to grow! Sedum requires minimal attention once established, thriving on a bit of neglect.
- Drought Tolerant & Water-Wise: Their fleshy leaves store water, making them highly resistant to drought and perfect for xeriscaping, rock gardens, or areas where watering is infrequent.
- Four-Season Interest: Many varieties offer interest year-round. Spring brings fresh succulent foliage, summer offers lush growth (sometimes with early blooms), fall features stunning flower heads (often pink, red, or bronze) that attract pollinators, and winter provides structure with dried seed heads that look great dusted with snow.
- Versatile Garden Use: From groundcovers that spill over walls and suppress weeds, to mid-border fillers, to stately upright accents ('Autumn Joy' is a classic!), there is a Sedum for nearly every sunny spot. They also excel in containers.
- Attracts Pollinators: The nectar-rich flowers, especially on taller varieties blooming in late summer and fall, are magnets for bees and butterflies, providing a crucial late-season food source.
- Wide Range of Colors & Textures: Foliage comes in shades of green, blue-grey, chartreuse, deep burgundy, and variegated forms. Flower colors range from white and yellow to pinks and deep reds. Textures vary from tiny, rounded leaves to broader, flatter ones.
- Excellent Hardiness: Most common garden Sedums thrive reliably in Zones 3-9, tolerating both heat and cold.
- Easy to Propagate: Sedum is famously easy to propagate from stem cuttings or divisions.
Growing vibrant Sedum is simple when you meet their basic needs.
Ideal Location:
- Sun: Most Sedums thrive in full sun (6+ hours/day). This promotes the best foliage color, sturdy stems, and optimal flowering. Some varieties (especially those with lighter foliage) can tolerate light shade or partial afternoon shade, particularly in hot climates (Zones 8-9), but flowering may be reduced.
- Air Circulation: Good airflow helps prevent potential fungal issues, though Sedum is generally resistant.
Soil Requirements:
- Excellent Drainage is Paramount: This is the most critical factor! Sedum roots will rot in heavy, soggy, or consistently wet soil. They prefer average to sandy or gritty, well-drained soil. They tolerate poor soil well.
- Avoid Overly Rich Soil: Sedum performs poorly in overly rich, heavily amended soil, which can lead to weak, floppy growth.
Planting:
- When: Plant nursery pots or bare root plants in spring (after frost danger) or early fall. Spring planting gives roots the longest time to establish before winter. Fall planting should be done early enough (4-6 weeks before the ground freezes) to allow root development.
- Planting Nursery Pots: Dig a hole slightly wider than the pot. Gently remove the plant, loosen any circling roots, and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill, firm the soil gently, and water well.
Planting Bare Root Sedum:
- Inspect: Check roots upon arrival. Trim off any broken or mushy parts. Healthy roots may look dry but should be firm.
- Rehydrate (Optional but Recommended): Soak the roots in a bucket of cool water for an hour or two (no longer than 4 hours) just before planting. This helps rehydrate them.
- Prepare Hole: Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots out comfortably without bending them significantly. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole.
- Position Plant: Place the bare root plant on top of the mound, spreading the roots down and outwards over the mound. The crown (where roots meet the dormant top growth or buds) should sit right at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep is a common mistake and can lead to crown rot.
- Backfill: Gently fill the hole with soil, working it around the roots to eliminate large air pockets. Firm the soil gently with your hands.
- Water: Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
- Spacing: Space plants according to their mature size (check plant tags). Groundcover types can be planted 6-12 inches apart, while larger upright varieties may need 18-24 inches.
Watering:
- Establishment (Potted & Bare Root): Keep the soil moderately moist during the first few weeks while roots establish. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. For bare roots, consistent moisture is crucial initially.
- Mature Plants: Once established, Sedum is very drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently, only during prolonged hot, dry spells. Allow the soil to dry out considerably between waterings. Overwatering is the most common way to kill Sedum.
Fertilizing:
- Generally Not Needed: Sedum thrives in average to lean soil and typically requires no supplemental fertilizer. Fertilizing can cause weak, floppy growth. If your soil is extremely poor, a very light top-dressing of compost in the spring is sufficient.
Maintenance:
- Upright Varieties: Many gardeners leave the dried flower heads and stems standing through winter for structure and visual interest. Cut back the old stems to the base (or to new basal growth) in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge vigorously. Some taller varieties ('Autumn Joy') can be pinched or cut back by half in late spring/early summer to encourage more compact growth and prevent flopping, though this may slightly delay flowering.
- Groundcover Varieties: Generally, require little maintenance other than trimming edges if they spread too far or removing any dead patches. They usually do not need cutting back unless rejuvenating an old patch.
Pests & Diseases: Sedum is remarkably pest and disease resistant. Potential issues (usually in poor conditions) include slugs/snails on tender new growth, aphids, mealybugs, and fungal spots or crown rot if drainage is poor or plants are overcrowded. Ensure good drainage and air circulation to prevent most problems.
Division: Divide clumps every 3-5 years (or when the center starts to die out or flowering diminishes) to maintain vigor. Divide in spring as new growth appears. Simply dig up the clump, split it into sections with a sharp knife or spade (ensure each piece has roots and shoots/buds), and replant.
With their easy-going nature and diverse forms, Sedum is a rewarding addition to almost any sunny garden, providing effortless beauty year after year.
Add impressive structure, vibrant late-season color, and essential pollinator support to your garden with Hylotelephium! Often still called Tall Sedum or Border Stonecrop, these robust succulent perennials were reclassified from the Sedum genus but share their famed ease of care and toughness. They are garden standouts for many reasons:
- Dramatic Late-Season Show: Their large, flat-topped flower heads (resembling broccoli florets before opening) emerge in mid-to-late summer and burst into dense clusters of starry flowers in shades of pink, rose, red, or white, often aging to deep russet or bronze.
- Pollinator Powerhouse: Blooming late in the season when other food sources dwindle, Hylotelephium flowers are irresistible to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Exceptional Four-Season Interest: Offers fleshy, succulent foliage through spring and summer, spectacular flowers in late summer/fall, and sturdy dried seed heads that provide striking structure and texture through winter snow.
- Sturdy Upright Habit: Forms substantial clumps with strong stems, adding vertical interest to borders and landscapes without needing excessive staking in proper conditions.
- Incredibly Low Maintenance & Tough: Like their Sedum relatives, they require minimal care once established. They tolerate heat, humidity, and cold within their hardiness range.
- Drought Tolerant: Their succulent nature allows them to thrive in dry conditions and makes them perfect for water-wise gardening.
- Great Cut Flowers: The long-lasting flower heads are excellent, both fresh and dried for arrangements.
- Reliably Hardy: Dependable performance across USDA Zones 3-9.
Growing impressive Hylotelephium is straightforward.
Ideal Location:
- Sun: Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily) is essential. This ensures strong, upright stems that will not flop and promotes the best flowering and foliage color.
- Air Circulation: Good airflow around the plant helps prevent any potential fungal issues, especially in humid climates.
Soil Requirements:
- Excellent Drainage is Key: This cannot be overstressed. Hylotelephium must have well-drained soil. They will quickly rot in heavy clay or soil that stays consistently wet. Average to sandy or gravelly soil is ideal. They tolerate relatively poor fertility.
- Avoid Rich, Wet Soil: Planting in overly rich, heavily amended, or constantly moist soil will lead to weak, floppy growth that may require staking, and can increase susceptibility to rot.
Planting:
When: Plant nursery pots or bare root plants in the spring (after frost danger has passed) or in early fall (at least 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes hard in your zone). Spring planting is often preferred in colder zones.
Planting Nursery Pots: Dig a hole slightly wider than the pot. Remove the plant, gently tease apart any circling roots, and place it so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole, firm the soil gently, and water thoroughly.
Planting Bare Root Hylotelephium:
- Inspect & Rehydrate: Check roots upon arrival, trimming any damaged parts. Soak roots in cool water for 1-2 hours (max 4 hours) before planting to rehydrate.
- Prepare Hole: Dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread naturally. Create a small mound in the center.
- Position Plant: Place the bare root plant atop the mound, spreading roots downward. Ensure the crown (where roots meet buds or dormant stems) is positioned right at, or even slightly above, the final soil level. Planting too deep invites crown rot.
- Backfill & Water: Gently fill the hole with soil, working it around the roots. Firm the soil lightly and water well to settle it.
- Spacing: Give these substantial plants room to grow. Space most Hylotelephium cultivars 18-24 inches apart.
Watering:
- Establishment: Water regularly (when the top inch or two of soil is dry) during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. This is especially important for bare root plants.
- Mature Plants: Once established, Hylotelephium is very drought-tolerant. Water deeply only during extended periods of extreme heat and drought. Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings. Overwatering is detrimental.
Fertilizing: Generally Unnecessary: These plants thrive in average to lean soil. Fertilizer often leads to weak, leggy growth and flopping. Avoid fertilizing unless your soil is exceptionally depleted; even then, a light application of compost is usually sufficient.
Maintenance:
- Winter Interest & Cutback: Leave the stems and dried flower heads standing through winter for visual interest and wildlife benefit (seeds for birds). Cut the dead stems back to the ground or just above the emerging basal growth in late winter or early spring (e.g., late February-March in many zones).
- Preventing Flopping (Optional): In richer soil or slightly less sun, stems might flop. You can perform the "Chelsea Chop" in late spring (around late May-early June): cut the entire plant back by about half. This encourages shorter, sturdier, more numerous stems and slightly later flowering. Alternatively, use grow-through ring supports early in the season.
Pests & Diseases:
- Highly resistant.
- Poor drainage can lead to root and crown rot – this is the most common issue.
- Slugs or snails might occasionally nibble new growth. Deer usually ignore them.
Division: Divide clumps every 3-5 years in the spring as new growth emerges. This maintains plant vigor, prevents overcrowding, and is an easy way to get more plants. Dig up the clump, use a sharp spade or knife to cut it into sections (each with roots and growing points/buds), and replant immediately.
Provide Hylotelephium with sun and good drainage, and these dependable perennials will reward you with years of bold texture, stunning late-season blooms, and vital support for pollinators.
Sedum, commonly known as stonecrops, are tough, hardy, and drought-resistant perennials that thrive in a variety of conditions. These succulents are a popular choice for rock gardens, borders, and containers due to their low maintenance requirements and beautiful foliage and flowers.
Sedum is a versatile and low-maintenance succulent with a wide range of cultivars offering various colors, sizes, and growth habits. These plants are ideal for gardens, containers, and even green roofs, adding beauty and resilience to any landscape.
The International Botanical Congress made recent taxonomic changes that resulted in the reclassification of certain Sedum species into the genus Hylotelephium. This change was based on genetic and morphological evidence that indicated these species were distinct enough to warrant their own genus.