Many gardeners recognize upright sedum species, such as Sedum ‘Autumn Joy,’ as good plants for color in late summer and early autumn’s hot, dry days. Several low-growing sedum types, on the other hand, operate well as ground cover plants in hot, arid climates where other plants struggle to survive.
The Sedum genus contains 400500 species known as sedums, or stonecrops, many of which have been widely embraced as garden plants. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family, which is noted for plants with mushy, succulent leaves. Stonecrop gets its name from the fact that these plants not only withstand but thrive in dry, rocky soil. Sedums can grow to be 2 inches tall or 3 feet tall. Some species can withstand temperatures as low as USDA hardiness zone 3, while others are best suited to warmer regions. Sedums come in both annual and perennial varieties, but they’re always fleshy succulents. Sedums store moisture in their leaves, which is why they thrive in arid environments. Despite the fact that all sedums flower, they’re most commonly planted for their foliage, which comes in unique colors of green not found in other plants.
All sedums are incredibly easy to grow and propagate, and the only way to kill them is to overwater them or plant them in excessively moist soil. A single branch or even a leaf stuck in the ground will swiftly root and grow into a new plant in upright kinds. Low-growing sedums spread quickly but aren’t invasive, and their shallow root systems make them easy to remove, making them great ground cover plants.
For your ground cover needs, here are ten sedum, or stonecrop, varieties to consider.
Are sedums invasive?
While creeping sedums are known for their dependability and lack of fussiness, I’m also drawn to them because of their succulent leaves, long flowering cycles, and, in certain cases, year-round interest in the garden. Sedum blooms are normally small, starlike clusters, no more than an inch in diameter and 4 inches or 5 inches in height, with a preference for whites, yellows, purples, and pinks. When mass-planted, the carpets of blossoms they generate are breathtaking. Many evergreen sedums, such as Sedum album ‘Murale’ and Sedum stenopetalum, turn a rich crimson or bronze color in the fall and winter, lasting until early spring, offering stunning contrasts to an otherwise inert landscape. They look especially nice against a snowy backdrop.
Sedums are one of the most simple plants to grow from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Because sedums don’t usually come true from seed, stem cuttings or divisions will ensure that the attributes of a plant you like are preserved. Sedums are not invasive, despite their fast expansion. They are easily lifted and transported due to their shallow roots. They’ll also overwinter in most pots if there’s enough drainage, and come out of dormancy in early to midspring.
I complained as a kid on my family’s farm in northeastern Maryland, removing rocks from my father’s farmed fields. Decades later, in a fitting irony, I’m still scouring those same fields for fascinating stones to use as backdrops and emphasis points for my ever-growing sedum collection.
How fast does creeping sedum spread?
Succulents grow at varied speeds depending on the variety. Climate, soil type, watering, and fertilizing all influence the size and rate of growth of a plant. In a pot, slow types will stay small, whereas fast ground cover varieties, such as Sedum, can spread up to 1″ each month during the growth season.
Does creeping sedum spread?
Ground covers are used to keep weeds from developing in bare spots and to act as a turf replacement. Sedums are a wonderful alternative for slopes and cracks between paving stones since slopes allow for quick drainage. They will spread most quickly in loose, gravelly soil, so a layer of pumice, grit, or fine gravel on top of the planting area will give them an advantage over weeds. Sedums are a superb choice for ground cover in high-fire-danger locations because their leaves store water.
For bigger sedum infestations, use a herbicide containing 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPP, MCPA, triclopyr, or glyphoste. Sprays containing a combination of these components are also permitted. Check the manufacturer’s label to see if the herbicide has to be diluted with water. Because glyphoste is a nonselective herbicide that kills any plant or grass it comes into contact with, choosing a herbicide that contains it will likely kill any surrounding vegetation.
About Sedum
Sedum, often known as “stonecrop,” comes in a wide variety of types and species, making it suited for use in practically any garden design. They’re hardy, easy to care for, and pollinators adore them!
Based on the growth characteristics of the plants, we split sedum into two categories: low-growing sedum and upright sedum.
- Sedum is a low-growing plant that spreads along the ground and grows to only a few inches (or less) in height. They’re ideal as a ground cover along walks, in rock gardens, or cascading down a stone wall because of this.
- Sedum that grows upright forms tall, upright clumps with a dense mass of tiny reddish-pink flowers. They’re ideal for border gardens or pollinator gardens because of their height and gorgeous blossoms. Although upright sedum was reclassified to a different genus, Hylotelephium, a few years ago, it is still referred to as a “sedum.”
Where is the best place to plant sedum?
Sedum (also known as’stone crop flower’) thrives in full to part sun. While taller hybrids require full sun to flower well, creeping varieties can thrive in partial shade.
Sedums prefer a well-drained soil with a pH range of neutral to slightly alkaline. Root and stem rot can be caused by wet, heavy clay.
Tall growing sedums should be spaced 1 to 2 feet apart. Depending on the kind and how rapidly you want it to fill in an area, space low-growing, creeping sedums 6 to 12 inches apart.
Plant sedums when the risk of frost has passed in the spring. Planting transplants till late summer is possible in northern locations. Plant in the spring or fall in warmer climates.
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.
Is sedum a ground cover?
White flowers bloom on Sedum album, which has green leaves that becomes crimson in the fall. It blooms in the summer and makes a great ground cover for rocky embankments or thin, weak soils. White sedum, on the other hand, is a slow-growing plant. Drought causes the leaf to turn pinkish, yet this plant has a high endurance for dry environments.
Can you walk on sedum ground cover?
Sedum is a robust plant that can withstand foot activity and is very easy to maintain. Sedum likes the sun and is heat and drought resistant, making it ideal for hotter climates with lots of direct sunlight. Sedum comes in a wide range of colors and shapes. The shorter strains are ideal for groundcovers. For zones 3 through 9, try Blue Spruce, Dragon’s Blood, Tricolor, Fuldaglut, or Kamtschaticum. In addition, most of these plants produce flowers in the summer, which attract pollinators.
Creeping Jenny
Moneywort gets its name from the golden leaves of Creeping Jenny, which resemble coins. Creeping Jenny enjoys direct sunlight or light shade, can withstand a lot of foot activity, and can grow with very little attention as long as it doesn’t dry out completely. Creeping Jenny produces lovely yellow flowers in the spring that attract birds and bees, and it thrives in zones 3 through 8.
Thyme
Although not all thyme cultivars perform as groundcovers, those that do provide a lovely and aromatic lawn covering that enjoys direct sunlight and requires little maintenance. For zones 5 through 9, try mother of thyme, wooly thyme, or creeping thyme. Plus, your groundcover will offer you with excellent herb cuttings to utilize in the kitchen.
Soapwort
Soapwort received its name since the plant used to be used to create soap because when the leaves came into touch with water, they produce a lather. It’s also a great groundcover for zones 3 through 9, and it blooms in pink, red, or white in the spring.
Mazus
Mazus is a great groundcover for zones 5 through 8 because it has dense, brilliant green foliage and lavender flowers that look like orchids. Mazus, on the other hand, should be kept out of high-traffic areas because it can only handle light foot traffic.
Corsican Mint
During instances of excessive heat, Corsican mint prefers sunlight with a little shade to direct sunlight. This mint variety’s beautiful aroma makes it an excellent groundcoverthe scent is rather strong after someone softly trods on it. Corsican mint thrives in zones 6 through 9. Corsican mint produces tiny purple flowers in the late summer, though they are so small that you might not notice them unless you look closely. When rainfall is scarce, Corsican mint requires some upkeep and occasional watering.
How do you plant creeping sedum?
Stem cuttings can also be used to start creeping sedum. Simply snip a 3- to 4-inch tip from the stem and plant it in wet potting soil. Place the cutting in a cool, shady spot with indirect sunlight, and keep the soil moist. In about three weeks, the cuttings should root and be ready to plant outdoors.