Sedum sp.

Stone Crop

Sedum is a genus of approximately 400 species of mostly succulent plants. Originating from various parts of the northern hemisphere and some found in arid areas of South America, sedum are extremely variable in hardiness, growth habits and cultural requirements. Leaves may be opposite, whorled, fleshy, cylindrical or flattened. Flowers are usually small produced in terminal cymes, panicles or corymbs, 5 petaled and star shaped. The sedums are among the most used groundcovers in North America. Groundcover selections should be planted 10 – 12 inches apart. They are also useful in rock gardens and, particularly the less hardy species, as container plants,.

In general sedums are easy to grow thriving in poor soil that is slightly alkaline (pay attention to varietal peculiarities) and dry. They will generally tolerate hot climates and full sun.

In our experience Sedums have very few pest problems unless grown to wet. However, slugs, nematodes and aphids have been noted.

Layman Wholesale Nuseries offers the following species and cultivars.

• S. acre known as Goldmoss sudum is hardy in zones 3 to 8. It has dense yellow mat-forming foliage, tolerates moderate moisture and grows in full to partial sun.
• S. makinoi ‘Ogon’ grows in zones 6 – 9. This selection is noted for its golden chartreuse foliage that trails. This lends it for use as a ground cover or container plant. Small yellow flowers are produced in the spring.
• S. rupestre (syn S. reflexum) grows from zone 3 to 9. This species is mat forming, evergreen and vigorous. Leaves are pointed, alternate and gray-green in color. There are several cultivars within this species. Layman Wholesale Nuseries offers the following cultivates in S. rupestre.
1. ‘Angelina’ is an excellent choice for full sun and poor dry soils. This cultivar has golden yellow leaves with clusters of yellow flowers and is an excellent choice for containers or walls if allowed to cascade.
2. ‘Autumn Joy’ is listed as a zone 2 to 9 selection. It features red flowers on a 2 foot high plant that spreads to 30 inches. Foliage is green on a well branched mounding plant.
3. ‘Blue Spruce’ grows to a height of 4 to 6 inches spreading 1- to 12 inches. Yellow flowers are produced in the summer. This plant has a mounding habit of growth.
• S. spurium is a 2 to 6 inch high species with white to rose flowers. Leaves are opposite, toothed and approximately 1 inch long. Stems are branching and red.
1. ‘Draggons Blood’ is used as a low growing ground cover forming a low growing mat. Red flower spikes accentuate this cultivar in the summer.
2. ‘Fuldaglut’ Avery nice red-orange leaved sedum that produces red flowers in the summer. l in zones 3-9.
3. ‘John Creech’ grows in zones 3 – 8 produces scalloped green leaves and pink flowers in early summer. Plants prefer full sun.
4. ‘Red Carpet’ features deep red fringed ruffled leaves and produces red blooms in the summer. It will tolerate part shade.
5. ‘Tricolor’ spreads approximately 18 inches. Foliage is rose, cream and green. It produces pink flowers. Will tolerate some shade.

• S. telephium is a clump forming deciduous mat forming, rhizomatous species. Features of this species are erect unbanched stems with toothed, oblong to ovate gray-green leaves. ‘Frosty Morn’ grows from zones 4 to 9. Produces a plant 18 to 24 inches high with silver and white variegated foliage. Grows best in full sun and well drained fertile soils.
• Sedum ‘Matrons’ is a clump forming sedum producing a plant that reaches 30 inches in height. It grows in zones 3 to 9. The striking characteristics of this sedum is its gray-green leaves with rose edges on shiny dark burgundy stems. Large pale pink flower heads are produced in late summer.
• Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ is a zoned 3 to 7 selection featuring dark purple-black foliage on compact purple stems topped with pinkish purple flowers in summer. Plants are 15 inches tall spreading 12 to 23 inches. Attracts butterflies and can be used as a cut flower.
• S. kamtschaticum ‘varigatum’ is a clump forming perennial with thick rhizomes. Plants are hardy from zones 2 to 9. Leaves are lance shapes and develop a light green border.