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Sedum Groundcover
Colorful Drought-Tolerant Groundcover
Sedum, often called Stonecrop, is a superstar groundcover choice for gardens in zones 3 through 9, appealing to both novice and seasoned gardeners. Here is why you should consider adding it to your landscape:
- Incredibly Low Maintenance: Once established, Sedum requires minimal care. Forget constant fussing – these plants thrive on a bit of neglect!
- Exceptional Drought Tolerance: Sedums store water in their fleshy leaves, making them perfect for water-wise gardens, rockeries, sunny slopes, and areas where watering is difficult. They laugh off summer heat and dry spells.
- Wide Hardiness Range: Specifically chosen varieties perform beautifully across a broad climate spectrum, reliably surviving winters in zone 3 and heat in zone 9.
- Year-Round Interest & Variety: From vibrant greens, blues, reds, and purples to fascinating textures and seasonal color changes, Sedum offers visual appeal throughout the year. Many varieties boast charming star-shaped flowers in summer or fall, attracting bees and butterflies.
- Excellent Problem Solvers: Use them to cover bare ground, suppress weeds, edge pathways, spill over walls, plant between stepping stones, fill containers, or even create green roofs.
- Easy Propagation: Many varieties spread readily (but are not typically invasive), filling in areas nicely. They are also easily propagated from cuttings or divisions.
- Generally Deer & Rabbit Resistant: While no plant is completely immune, deer and rabbits tend to leave Sedum alone.
When to Plant:
- Best Times: Spring (after the last frost) or early fall (allowing at least 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes) are ideal. This gives plants time to establish roots before summer heat or winter cold.
- Avoid: Planting during extreme heat or deep cold.
Choosing the Right Location:
- Sunlight: Most groundcover Sedums thrive in full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily). This promotes the best foliage color, compact growth, and optimal flowering. Some varieties tolerate partial shade but may become leggier or less vibrant.
- Soil: This is CRITICAL! Sedums demand well-draining soil. They will rot in heavy, constantly wet conditions. Sandy or gravelly soils are excellent. Amend clay soils heavily with compost, grit, or perlite to improve drainage. Raised beds or slopes are naturally beneficial. Sedums do not require rich soil; lean soil is often preferred.
Planting Your Sedum:
- Potted Plants:
- Dig a hole roughly the same depth and slightly wider than the pot.
- Gently remove the plant from its container. If roots are circling (root-bound), gently tease them apart.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface.
- Backfill with soil, firming gently around the base.
- Water lightly to settle the soil.
- Bare Root Plants:
- Unpack Immediately: Open your bare root Sedum upon arrival.
- Inspect: Roots should look firm. Do not worry if they seem dry; Sedums are succulents. Avoid prolonged soaking, which can cause rot. If extremely desiccated, a very brief dip (a few minutes) in water is the absolute maximum recommended, but often unnecessary.
- Prepare Planting Hole: Dig shallow, wide depressions rather than deep holes.
- Plant: Place the bare root plant so the crown (where the roots meet the dormant top growth or stem base) sits at or slightly above the soil level. Spread the roots out gently. Planting too deep is a common cause of failure.
- Backfill: Cover the roots lightly with soil, firming gently.
- Water Sparingly: Water very lightly after planting bare roots. Wait for the soil to dry somewhat before watering again. Consistent moisture is needed only until new growth appears, then switch to infrequent watering.
- Spacing: Space plants according to their mature spread (check specific variety information), typically 6-12 inches apart for a groundcover effect. They will fill in over time.
Watering:
- Establishment Phase: Water regularly (when the top inch or two of soil is dry) for the first few weeks or until plants show new growth. Bare root plants need less water initially than potted ones.
- Mature Plants: Once established, Sedum is highly drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common way to kill Sedum! Check the soil moisture before watering.
Fertilizing:
- Generally, not necessary and often detrimental. Excess fertilizer can lead to weak, floppy growth and reduced hardiness. If your soil is extremely poor, a very light top dressing of compost in early spring is sufficient.
Maintenance:
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free, especially while plants are establishing. A layer of gravel mulch can help suppress weeds and improve drainage around the crown. Avoid heavy organic mulches that hold moisture.
- Pruning: Most groundcover Sedums require no pruning. You can trim back any dead stems or spent flower stalks in late winter or early spring for tidiness if desired.
- Division: If clumps become overcrowded or develop dead centers after several years, divide them in the spring. Simply dig up the clump, separate it into smaller sections (each with roots and top growth), and replant.
Pests and Diseases:
- Sedum is relatively trouble-free.
- Potential Issues: Slugs and snails may occasionally nibble. Root rot is the main disease concern, almost always caused by poor drainage/overwatering. Ensure excellent drainage!
Winter Care:
- Most groundcover Sedums are very winter hardy.
- Foliage may change color, die back partially, or disappear completely in colder zones, re-emerging in spring.
- No special winter protection is typically needed, but ensuring the soil does not stay waterlogged during winter thaws is crucial. Good drainage is key to winter survival.
By following these steps, you can enjoy beautiful, resilient Sedum groundcover in your garden for years to come!
Sedum groundcover is a great choice for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant planting. They are versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings, including rock gardens, borders, and walkways.