Members of the Sedum species, also known as stonecrops, are succulents, unlike most other perennials. These plants can tolerate dry temperatures and drought thanks to their rubbery leaves that absorb water. The sedum family comes in a wide range of sizes and habits. Some cultivars, for example, “Dragon’s Blood” slither along the ground, content to scramble over walls or weave their way through a rock garden. Others, for example, the well-known “Autumn Joy” grows erect to a height of 2 feet. Sedums bloom anywhere from early summer to late October, depending on the type. When the correct conditions are supplied, all sedums are reliable bloomers. Horticultural zones 4 through 9 of the United States Department of Agriculture are ideal for sedums.
What month does sedum bloom?
Sedum (Stonecrop) is a succulent plant that is easy to grow. Sedums bloom from July to late fall and thrive in zones 4-9. Some gardeners even leave the blooms in place during the winter to keep the plant looking good for longer. Sedums thrive under less-than-ideal environments. For a healthy blooming sedum, full sun and dry soil are essential. The stonecrop may not blossom as well if there is too much water or shade. If your sedum isn’t blooming, the first place to look for problems is the sun and soil conditions.
How long do sedum blooms last?
Incorporate Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’) into your landscaping beds for excellent fall color. This paddle-leafed perennial, also known as Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’ (Herbstfreude is German for “October delight”), is hard to match when it comes to giving seasonal interest. Learn how to grow sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ with these helpful hints.
‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, like other members of the sedum family, stores water in its fleshy, thickened leaves. This sedum, like hen-and-chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) and jade plant, is a succulent (Crassula ovata). All of these plants have water-hoarding leaves that thrive in arid, low-fertility soil. A compost-rich garden soil, on the other hand, can be a death knell for these water-conserving plants.
In rich, healthy soil, sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ responds with lush growth, resulting in weak, floppy stems. Clumps that start the growth season tight and upright but conclude with bowing and flailing stems are a regular occurrence for gardeners with this long-season performer. Keeping the soil light and lean is one way to avoid stem flop. If you’re planting in rich garden loam, consider adding a shovel of sand to the planting holes.
Inserting hoop or grow-through type stakes around plant clumps early in the season is another strategy to keep ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum stems standing soldier straight. If the plants aren’t in full sun, the stems will also flop. All sedum plants, including the sedum ‘Autumn Joy,’ require sunlight to thrive.
Many gardeners prune ‘Autumn Joy’ stems back in the spring and summer to encourage plants to grow to a reduced overall height. Pruning also results in shorter, more branched stems. Cut sedum plants in half in late spring or early summer to trim them (June in most places). Pruning causes the sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ to flower later, resulting in a longer flower show in the fall.
In the summer, the sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ produces flower buds atop stalks. The buds are chartreuse for a long time, bringing interest to the summer garden. The green buds open in late summer, revealing pink flowers that linger about six weeks in the garden. The blossoms become a bronze color before turning an almost chestnut brown that stands firm under winter snow. For visual pleasure, many gardeners leave flowers in the garden throughout the winter.
The colorful blossoms entice pollinators of all types. As a late-season nectar source, sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is an excellent addition to a wildlife or butterfly garden. Its blooms supply bees, wasps, and other pollinating insects with large landing platforms.
The sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is hardy in zones 3 to 8. This fall staple is also available in a variety of various formats. Light pink blooms bloom atop green foliage on the traditional sedum ‘Autumn Joy.’ Similar blossoms on stems with variegated, white-edged green leaves can be seen on the sedum telephium ‘Autumn Charm’ (Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Charm’). Autumn Fire (Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Fire’) is a better version of ‘Autumn Joy.’ ‘Autumn Joy’ is gradually being phased out of the market. ‘Autumn Fire’ features larger flower heads, stronger stems, and a longer flowering window than ‘Autumn Joy.’
Does sedum stay green all year?
Sedum is a fantastic plant. It’s a succulent, which means its leaves are fleshy and store water, so it doesn’t require much watering. Sedum (also known as Stonecrop) can thrive in almost any soil type as long as it is not damp. In our zone 6/7, some sedum, usually ground cover varieties, are even evergreen, providing much-needed color in the winter landscape. Here are five sedums that you may put outside and forget about.
Sedum Care
Sedum plants, also known as Stonecrop, grow best in full sun with little to no water and, most importantly, well-drained soil. For the flower bed and border, there are larger types that grow to be over two feet tall and wide. There are certain old standbys in the cottage garden, such as “It’s Autumn Joy.” Ground cover types in vibrant greens, grays, and reds that may spread swiftly and flower in early summer, such as “Angelina Jolie”. And everything in the middle! They thrive in practically any garden and make excellent container plants. Sedum plants feature succulent leaves that range in size from small needles to larger and fleshier leaves, and are available in a variety of colors and patterns, including gray, green, purple, blue, and even variegated! Butterflies and bees are attracted to them. And, best of all, they are perennials, meaning they will return year after year.
- Always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always If you’re going to plant them in containers, add some shredded bark or sand to the soil mix to make it more porous. If your garden soil is heavy, fix it or plant them in raised beds and containers.
- Choose containers that complement the look and feel of the plants. To fit the contemporary vibe these plants give off, think concrete, stone, or simple round bowls if you want to go for a succulent garden aesthetic. But don’t let that stop you from utilizing them in any style of garden; it’s a terrific way to freshen things up!
- Although they can survive without water for long periods of time, I find that if they are in well-drained soil, they look best when watered on a regular basis and let to slightly dry out in between.
- They don’t require a lot of fertilizer or a lot of soil. In fact, if you fertilize your plants too much, they will become floppy, with a lot of stem but few leaves and blooms.
- They can tolerate a little midday shadow, but the taller kinds will flip over if they don’t get enough sun.
- Pinch off the tops of the main stems of taller kinds in the spring, when the plant is around six inches tall. This will drive the plant to grow more compactly, which will solve the flopping over issue I stated earlier.
Once you’ve mastered sedum maintenance, experiment with different hen and chick breeds to grow alongside them. They require the same amount of water and fertilizer as sedums and make excellent companion plants. Sempervirens is the Latin name for these succulents, so you know you’re getting the appropriate one. This image from ‘Sunset’ demonstrates how amazing they appear in containers together.
Does all sedum flower?
Looking for a bright, easy-to-grow perennial that can withstand a variety of conditions? When you’re out plant buying, look for sedum. These succulent plants are quite easy to grow as long as they get enough of sun and have proper drainage.
All sedum bloom, but the variety of leaf forms and colors is the major reason you’ll want to grow these low-water plants. Sedum comes in a wide spectrum of colors, from chartreuse to pink, gray, blue, purple, and multi-colored leaves as little as your pinky fingernail to as large as a spinach leaf. They’re ideal for adding a splash of color to your garden.
How do I get my sedum to bloom?
Cutting back the plant’s dead stalks in the early spring might foster new growth. Pinch back taller sedum kinds to produce smaller, more abundant flowers. After the blooming period, creeping sedums can be clipped. Another round of flowering will be triggered as a result of this. A non-blooming plant may just require more time to mature and expand before flowering.
How do you care for sedums after they bloom?
When to prune sedum depends on whether it’s a clumping or creeping type. Each will necessitate a different level of trimming. Early in the spring, sedums begin to bloom. Small buds will appear as they emerge from the dirt. This is the moment to prune the old flower stems to make room for the new growth. Pinch clumping sedums back once during the growing season to encourage a second bloom of flowers. If the creeping sedum becomes too large for the growth space, it can be pruned.
Does sedum spread quickly?
A creeping sedum might be the plant for you if you’re seeking for a lovely plant that thrives in almost complete neglect. Sedums strut their stuff in places where few other plants would dare. They thrive in crevices in a garden wall or pathway, on roofs or the tops of gently sloped birdhouses, and even under big trees where their massive roots capture the majority of the soil’s moisture. They work well in rock gardens, borders, and containers as well.
Many gardeners have begun to look more closely at species of the genus Sedum as seasonal and long-term droughts become more common across the United States. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is well-known for its late russet blooms, but its ground-hugging relatives are gaining popularity as well.
Stonecrops, sometimes known as creeping sedums, provide a constant source of interest in my garden. They’re some of the most adaptable, drought-tolerant, and simple-to-grow perennials I’ve ever grown in my decades as a gardener. Sedums really reduce the amount of work a gardener has to do as they grow in size. Low growers are known for their ability to spread quickly, preventing weeds from gaining root. Although it is not required to deadhead spent blooms because they will fade away on their own, aged blossoms can be easily removed with a string trimmer. They are rarely afflicted by illnesses or pests as long as they are not over-watered.
While sedums may thrive in even the poorest soil—in fact, low or little soil is their preferred medium—good drainage is essential for their growth. Too much wetness, especially standing water, will destroy a sedum faster than any drought can.
Sedums, once established, require almost no further water to thrive, even in the driest conditions. Sedums are a great choice for gardens in hot, arid areas like the western United States, but they can grow almost anyplace with sufficient drainage. They can be found sticking up from boulders or sprouting from just a few inches of scree in frigid, alpine regions. Almost every USDA Hardiness Zone has at least one Sedum species. Although most creeping sedums prefer full sun, they can also thrive in moderate shade. Sedum ternatum, a North American native, is a sedum that prefers a little more moisture and shade than its relatives.
Are sedums full sun?
Sedums that live for a long time have a lot to give! They are robust, sun-loving perennials, but that isn’t all they have to offer in the yard. These plants are succulents, which means they have water-retaining leaves and other plant structures. When the plants require water and cannot get it from another source, the stored water can be used. Once established, these plants are heat and drought resilient, as you might expect.
The size, leaves color, flower color, and morphology of sedum vary widely amongst species. Star-shaped blooms are frequently found in clusters or sprays. Flower color changes frequently during the season, adding to the visual appeal. There are tall plants with great blooms for cutting, as well as groundcover types that reduce weeds and even smaller varieties that thrive well in pots. Stonecrop is another name for sedums.
How to Grow Sedums
All of them grow in full sun and don’t require much attention. Plant in a well-draining garden area or planter that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day. Some types thrive in 4 hours of sunlight, while those with vibrant foliage may lose some of their color if not given enough. Root rot can develop if plant roots are kept too damp, therefore amend heavy soils to improve air flow and drainage. In the spring, remove any winter-damaged foliage.
Here are some of the varieties we currently carry (as of June 2020); inventory changes frequently, so contact to check availability. Continue reading to learn more about some of our favorite tough, sun-loving sedums!
This sedum’s deep plum foliage contrasts nicely with a lime green groundcover sedum like ‘Lemon Ball’ or ‘Angelina.’ The SunSparkler collection of sedums was chosen for its vibrant flower and foliage color. Late in the summer, ‘Plum Dazzled’ blooms with magenta pink flowers. Bees and butterflies are drawn to the blossoms. This plant is not liked by all wildlife; it is deer resistant!
‘Plum Dazzled’ (seen above) is an excellent filler plant for containers. Plant in a mass as a border plant or put one in here and there for a colorful accent in landscape plants.
This sedum stands out with lime green foliage with a crisp ruby red edge, and it’s also part of the SunSparkler line. ‘Lime Zinger’ is a low-growing groundcover that only grows to a height of 6 inches and a width of 18 inches. They do well in containers as well. Another excellent advantage is that they are bunny proof!
Hot pink flower clusters that attract butterflies appear in late summer and linger into early fall.
Although this sedum resembles ‘Plum Dazzled,’ there are a few variances.
‘Dazzleberry’ is a little shorter than its relative, growing to a mature height of 6-8 inches but the same width of 18 inches. The leaves are also a smoky blue-gray tint rather than plum. One of the most noticeable changes is that it blooms sooner and has huge raspberry-colored flower clusters. The clusters can grow up to 9 inches in diameter!
It’s rabbit resistant, as are many other sedums, and it’s disease resistant as well.
With a mature size of 4-6 inches tall and a width of 10-12 inches, this one is a little smaller than some others. Despite its small size, the brilliant chartreuse hue has a powerful visual impact. ‘Lemon Ball’ stands out in the garden, whether it’s a single plant or a large grouping. Its short height makes it ideal for contrasting with a larger perennial layer in a perennial border. It also thrives in containers, where it can be combined with other plants or used to fill a low bowl planter.
In the summer, yellow blossom clusters develop. In Central Arkansas, ‘Lemon Ball’ is deer resistant and has a winter presence. In warmer climates, it is considered an evergreen.
The small, burgundy, spherical leaves of this sedum (6-8 inches long and wide) have a mounding structure that falls gently over the sides of containers or stones.
This sedum has pink blooms in the late summer and early fall and grows quite densely.
Do sedums flower?
Sedums are divided into two types based on their growth habits: clumping and creeping. Clumping hybrids reach a height of 1 to 3 feet. Creeping varieties keep low to the ground and extend out a few feet in each direction. Succulent leaves and small, colorful flower clusters can be found on both varieties. Sedums bloom from late summer to early autumn, depending on the variety. The flowers on clumping varieties are stunning because they stand above the foliage. Creeping kinds can produce so many flowers that they transform a garden into a colorful carpet.