A collection of succulents known as sedum (Stonecrop) is simple to grow and looks excellent in summer and fall gardens. We at Plant Delights Nursery have been growing sedum plants in our hot, muggy, rainy Raleigh garden for over 25 years, so we thought we’d share our knowledge of how to grow sedum plants as well as the names of our favorite species. The Sedum genus is a diversified group that includes straight tall sedums, carpet sedums that form mats, sedums that are hardly drought tolerant and require constant watering, sedums that love the sun, and sedums for woodland gardens. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand your sedum before planting. Although some taxonomists have placed tall sedums in the genus Hylotelephium, we still refer to them as sedums.
Tall Sedum
There are two primary types of sedums for the garden: towering sedums and creeping sedums. Depending on the variety and environmental factors, the erect stems of the tall sedums (mostly Sedum spectabile and Sedum telephium) can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet. Tall sedums have been developed to grow shorter in new varieties, making them less floppy and better suited to the smaller gardens of today. Tall sedum stems are covered with soft succulent leaves along their length, and in the summer or fall, they are crowned by vibrant flower clusters. The symmetrical shape and vibrant flowers of tall sedums have long been reasons for their cultivation, but more recent types also exhibit coppery, dusky mauve, and dark purple foliage.
How similar are sedum and stonecrop?
Everything depends on how they are arranged. For purposes of identification, the gardener just needs to keep in mind the three classifiers of genus, species, and cultivar. A group of closely related species is referred to as a genus.
Within the genus category, species are a more precise classification that have viable progeny. For instance, Sedum is the genus and glaucophyllum is the species of Appalachian stonecrop that thrives in rocky, alkaline soil, respectively, in the name Sedum glaucophyllum.
The sedum that has been chosen for favorable characteristics is further categorized by a cultivar. On the plant tag, Sedum glaucophullum ‘Dazzleberry,’ so the plant would look burgundy rather than green.
Understanding the distinctions between sedum, succulents, and cactus will be made easier by being aware of these classifications. Succulent is a descriptive term for a plant trait rather than a scientific classification. Succulents may retain water in arid regions or soil conditions because some of their leaves, roots, or stems are thickened and fleshy. There may also be plants with succulent characteristics and a typical plant stem within the same species. Numerous plants have succulent traits that enable them to cope with dry environments. Due to their dry origins and special characteristics, succulents can withstand drought.
Another succulent trait that cactus exhibits is the retention of water within the structure of the plant. Typically, cacti have thorns. Hobbyists who raise cacti and succulents frequently distinguish between them based on whether or not they have thorns rather than strictly on the botanical classification, which is sometimes more difficult to perceive. Members of the Cactaceae family include cacti. Confusion is increased since plants may have adaptations to dry circumstances that make them seem related.
Sedum is a genus of flowering plants that also exhibits the succulent traits of having leaves and stems that can store water. Sedums belong to the family Crassulaceae. Due of its stone-like look, sedum is also known as stonecrop. White flowers are present on Appalachian stonecrop. Sedums, which have 600 species in the Northern Hemisphere, include shrubs, annuals, perennials, and creeping herbs. Succulent traits can be found in both sedum and cacti, despite the fact that they belong to two separate plant families.
It might be wise to look for cultivars with succulent traits if one wants to create a rock garden or grow drought-tolerant plants. These plants have interesting body shapes and are lovely. There are many different kinds of flowering, creeping, low-growing, or towering plants that, once established, require little maintenance.
Succulents and sedums are they the same thing?
Stonecrops, also known as sedums, are renowned for their distinctive shapes, which provide endless interest in the garden. These low-growing succulents are appropriately known by their Latin name, Sedum, which means “to sit.” They grow well as groundcovers or as plants that trail over the edge of containers.
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Sedums are among the easiest plants to grow in your yard, but they dislike clay soil, according to Seattle, Washington resident and gardening enthusiast Ciscoe Morris. “The roots will perish if you put them in clay.” These succulents need very little water and well-draining soil to survive as perennials. They also have colorful flowers, are simple to grow, and, despite spreading quickly, are not invasive. Sedums often flourish in USDA Zones 3 to 9, depending on the species.
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Place them between stepping stones on a path and among the rocks in a xeriscape or rock garden. Make sure sedums are appropriate for the environment before planting them along a path. The striking gold leaf of “Ogon” can withstand some foot traffic.
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Plant division for sedum is simple. A hand trowel and very little work are all that are required. Locate a place in a mature plant where it is lovely and thick. Then, explains Morris, “all you have to do is simply dig in there, making sure you grab a fair portion of the plant so you have some healthy roots.” After transplanting the new division somewhere else in your garden, fill the now-empty space with soil so the sedum can regrow there.
A succulent is white stonecrop, right?
Sedum album, often known as “Murale,” is a perennial herbaceous succulent that belongs to the Crassulaceae family and is indigenous to North Africa, western Asia, Siberia, and Europe. The plant is a member of the Sedum genus, which also includes Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
How quickly does stonecrop grow?
The ‘Angelina’ stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) is a low-growing mat of succulent foliage that is perennial and evergreen. The word “stonecrop” is a Middle English term that describes a plant’s capacity to flourish in rocky, gravelly terrain. Depending on how much sun it receives, the ‘Angelina’ cultivar of S. rupestre has needle-like leaves that is either chartreuse or golden. It blooms with small yellow flowers all summer long. Additionally, the foliage develops an orange or rust hue in the fall.
Although “Angelina” is typically planted in the spring, it may be grown virtually year-round. Although it grows reasonably quickly, it could take a year or two before it blooms.
Do you prune stonecrop in the autumn?
Sedum plants, which belong to the Crassulaceae family, are popularly regarded as succulents that are simple to grow. There are many different shapes and sizes to pick from, making it easy to find the right one for your gardening project. Sedum plants don’t necessarily need to be pruned back unless they are becoming out of control and wild. Sedum plant pruning can sometimes enforce thicker plants and can control out-of-control development if you need a very neat appearance. Knowing when to prune sedum plants won’t harm them, but it will assist keep the starry flowers that most kinds produce.
Sedum can be pruned whenever you choose in warmer climates without damaging the plant’s health. However, the majority of pruning is done to get rid of the old flower heads and control the plant. On some of the slower growing species, pruning late into the summer may result in the removal of upcoming flower heads. Old flowers can always be taken out. The bloom head is a pleasing feature on some of the larger species, like Autumn Joy stonecrop, and it will continue through the winter. You have the option of taking these out in the fall or delaying your removal until the first few days of spring.
The leaf will wither and develop adorable small fresh rosettes in spring in colder climates. By pruning sedum plants to the new development, it encourages the emergence of this new growth and creates a more orderly plant.
Does stonecrop grow better indoors or outdoors?
Sedum is rapidly gaining popularity as an indoor plant. Stonecrop is tolerant of an indoor environment even in the worst circumstances. The sedum may survive inside with a little extra care. For sedum to thrive, full sun and warmth are essential. The hues in its leaf will pop with lots of sun. Avoid placing the plant near a north-facing window because it requires at least six hours of sunlight every day. Stonecrop will flourish in a container with drainage holes that allow the soil to dry up and drain effectively. The optimal environment for the sedum is a warm, sunny space.
How large can a stonecrop grow?
Award-winning Sedum ‘Brilliant,’ which is incredibly well-liked, is one of the toughest and easiest border sedums to grow. This upright type has flat clusters of bright, light pink blooms with long filaments that extend over the ends of the petals that are 3–4 inches across (7–10 cm) in size. They turn rust crimson in the early fall. The foliage is glaucous below, smooth, and light green, and it looks fantastic all year long. This exceptional perennial is simple to cultivate and grows as an 18–24 in. tall and broad (45–60 cm) cluster of succulent, dense foliage topped with blossom buds that resemble broccoli. In the middle to late summer, these tightly packed buds will gradually open to produce tiny, star-shaped soft pink flowers. As they age and die in the fall, these flowers will gradually become rusty red and finally coppery-rust. 1993 recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit
How often should stonecrop be watered?
Newly planted sedum needs a good watering, whether it is in a pot or a garden area. After the plant has taken root, water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Sedum can withstand drought and do well in well-drained soil. The best course of action is to give the plant a big, slow drink and let the soil dry out completely before watering it again. Stonecrops thrive under conditions of full sun and dry weather. Plan to water your plants every 7 to 10 days throughout the hot summers. Water in the fall and winter every two to three weeks.
Container sedums’ watering requirements vary depending on a few variables. An outdoor container may not require any watering, depending on the amount of rainfall; in contrast, an inside container will require weekly watering. In comparison to a small or shallow container, a large one will hold more moisture and require less watering. Until the water begins to dribble out of the drainage holes, give the sedum a thorough drink. Before the following watering, let the soil dry out. Checking the soil once a week is a reasonable rule of thumb.
Succulent IdentificationWhy It Matters
When you adore succulents, it becomes crucial to know their names at some time. The correct identification of succulents, as I have discussed before, can actually mean the difference between life and death! Despite having quite diverse traits, many varieties of succulents may have the same common name or a comparable look. Their ability to weather the winter makes a difference sometimes. A misidentification of a succulent could result in plants that have died from the cold. Some succulents, though, are poisonous to kids and dogs. Pets and young children can safely consume Sedum morganianum, however Euphorbia myrsinites is extremely hazardous. To protect your family and plants, take care to understand how to identify the types of succulents you have.
Recognizing Different Types of Succulents
A succulent plant is any plant that holds water in its leaves, stems, or roots. The appearances of many types vary greatly from one another. Succulent varieties can, however, seem quite alike. Two genera that are frequently mistaken for one another are Echeveria and Sempervivum. Hens and chicks is the popular name for both. Each plant forms a substantial rosette, giving them a similar appearance. They replicate similarly, each creating offsets. The young succulents that emerge at the base and spread out next to the main rosette are known as succulent offsets. But while the other perishes with just one freeze, the first survives at temperatures much below zero.
You will eventually be able to identify more varieties of succulents solely by appearance. Even if you are now unable to distinguish between a Sempervivum and an Echeveria, if you keep looking and looking for the differences, eventually you will be able to. Sounds strange, I realize. However, just as you are aware of your own child, even when they are surrounded by other children, Or perhaps you are only familiar with your own cat. One skill we all have is the ability to notice subtle differences. Simply said, we employ this expertise in a variety of ways. Perhaps you can identify the differences between 1960s muscle vehicles. I can distinguish between wolves and coyotes. Some people can easily tell a Cabernet from a different vintage apart, or they can recognize different bird species by their cries. Succulent identification only requires practice.
In the image above, there is one obvious difference between Sempervivum and Echeveria. Do you see how the sempervivum’s leaf border is covered in a plethora of tiny hairs? Those hairs are ciliates. A ring of minute hairs called ciliate (SILL-ee-uht) hairs extends along the… They gather dew for the plant in its desert environment. Sempervivum has few echeveriado, but these ciliate hairs. Most likely, your plant is not an Echeveria if the margins are covered in microscopic hairs. (The leaves of fuzzy echeveria are covered in fine hairs.)
Identifying SucculentsNote Characteristics
Another frequent query in identifying succulents is how to differentiate between Aeonium and Echeveria. Additionally, certain Aeonium feature ciliate hairs. The stems of Aeonium and Echeveria, however, are another difference. Echeveria rosettes generally develop close to the soil surface, like Sempervivum. However, aeonium develops long, branching, woody stems with rosettes at each terminal.
Look for the details to tell apart various succulent varieties. As we’ve seen, some types have smooth leaves while others have ciliate hairs along the leaf margins. Observe the leaf thickness as well. The leaves of Echeveria are generally thicker than those of Sempervivum or Aeonium, but not as thick as those of Graptopetalum. Here are a few plant traits to consider when determining whether a plant is a succulent:
Sedum linear—is that a succulent?
Modest-growing Sedum lineare ‘Variegatum’ has trailing stems, thin, creamy-white borders on its pale green leaves, and low growth. It may reach heights of 6 inches (15 cm) and a width of 2 feet (60 cm). The lance-shaped leaves can grow to a length of 1 inch (2.5 cm). The new growth frequently starts out straight before bending over from the weight of the stems and leaves. It grows significantly more open and higher in the shade. The small bright yellow starburst flowers on this plant, which bloom in the early summer, emerge in short, tightly packed cymes slightly above the foliage, though they are not the major attraction.