Introduction
What popular plant is drought-tolerant, hardy, relatively maintenance-free, and thrives in rock gardens? Stonecrop (aka sedum) is a popular choice for gardeners for these reasons and more! These incredibly versatile perennials have hundreds of species within the Sedum genus, meaning there’s plenty of varieties to fall in love with. In this blog, we will explore sedum plants and common varieties, some garden benefits, and provide some planting and care tips.
What is Stonecrop?
Description of Stonecrop
Sedum (now occasionally called Hylotelephium) is a genus that contains over 400 species within it. While there are a few varieties that are native to North America, most originated in China. There are many reasons why stonecrop is a popular choice for gardeners, including its hardiness, many species are hardy from zones 4-9 (if you’re not sure of your growing zone, check out the USDA’s map), and its relatively low-maintenance nature. Sedum plants can even grow in poor soil, where other plants can’t. The name Sedum is derived from the Latin word “sedo”, which means “to sit”. This is likely due to stonecrop’s nature as a groundcover.
Physical Characteristics
Stonecrop often has unique fleshy leaves and showy blooms. Creeping varieties act as groundcovers and sit low to the ground, while the upright varieties grow taller, in a shrub-like shape. While foliage and flower colors vary, most have clumps of star-shaped flowers. Most sedums have very shallow roots that spread wide.
Popular Varieties
There are, of course, many species within the stonecrop family, but here are a few of our favorites.
- Boogie Woogie Sedum (Sedum ‘Boogie Woogie’ PP31,767 (Rock ‘n Low® Collection)) - Get down and boogie! This is a relatively new groundcover sedum that adds a splash of pizazz to your garden. The green leaves sport a cream colored edge, and bright yellow flowers appear in midsummer, attracting bees, butterflies, and numerous other pollinators. This durable, low maintenance plant is ideal for rock gardens and other sunny, dry areas and thrives from zones 3-9. Boogie Woogie also works well as potted plants.
- SunSparkler® Lime Zinger Sedum (Sedum'Lime Zinger' PP24,632 (Sunsparkler® Series)) - A ground cover variety, this sedum has apple green leaves ringed with cherry red making for a sweet, mounded display. Soft pink flowers attract pollinators from last summer into fall. This sedum grows tight to the ground, growing only 4-6” in height, with a spread of 16-18”. It’s ideal for hot, dry walkways, rock walls, and rock gardens and is hardy from zones 4-9.
- Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum spectabile 'Herbstfreude') - A stonecrop staple, the Autumn Joy Sedum has large clusters of tiny pink flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Hardy from zones 3-8, it’s a beautiful spreading plant that pairs well with ornamental grasses. It can grow up to 24” in height and width. Be sure to leave these uncut all winter to capture and sculpt fallen snow and serve as a food source for birds. Autumn Joy works well as either a small group or mass planting. This hardy plant is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, from rock gardens to perennial borders.
- Lemon Drop Sedum (Sedum 'Lemon Drop') - Lemon Drop sedum is a low-growing selection that provides good ground cover with small, dark shiny green leaves and a uniform growth habit. The flowers are a lemon yellow color and bloom in clusters earlier than other sedums. The fall color on this selection is a showy orange. It’s hardy from zones 4-8.
- Cauticola Sedum (Sedum cauticola likakense) - Cauticola Sedum, hardy from growing zones 5-9, is perfect for the rock garden! It forms a loose carpet with purple stems and unique bluish-gray leaves that are heavily spotted with purple. Cauticola is especially lovely in bloom with purple-pink star-shaped flowers appearing in the fall. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators appreciate the late season food source.
Benefits of Planting Stonecrop
Drought Resistance
Once established, stonecrop is wonderfully drought-tolerant and thrive in hot, dry conditions where other plants would suffer. Sedums are succulent plants, meaning they store water internally in their leaves and stems. If you live in an area where droughts are common, stonecrop is a great low-maintenance plant once it establishes roots.
Attractiveness to Pollinators
Pollinators of all kinds love sedum! Especially butterflies and honeybees, which are attracted to the star-shaped, generally flat-topped flower clusters. Bees especially enjoy the pink flowers of the Autumn Joy sedum later in the season. Because this variety is a late-bloomer, it provides rich nectar and pollen at a time when most plants have finished blooming. Most sedums also have a prolonged blooming period, which keeps pollinators fed for longer than some perennials.
Visual Interest
When it comes to unique plants, look no further than stonecrop! These plants have such a variety of colors, shapes, and textures, with blooms of different colors, and a showy nature. Some have deep green leaves, some like the SunSparkler® Firecracker Sedum have deep burgundy foliage, and others have lime colored leaves like the Lemon Drop above. Some sedum varieties even change colors throughout the growing season.
Planting & Care Tips
Planting Tips
Like all plants, be aware of the proper planting time for your selection. For sedums, this is generally fall and spring, when temperatures are cooler and there’s more natural moisture in the soil. When you’re ready to plant, we offer some excellent tips for the planting process and aftercare here: Planting & Handling Guide.
Soil Requirements
Stonecrop is a hardy plant once established, and it can grow in soil conditions where other plants would fail. That said, it doesn’t like sitting in water, so plant where the soil is well-drained, and avoid wet, heavy clay. You can add coarse sand or perlite if you think your soil has too much clay. If growing in a container or raised garden beds, make sure there are holes on the bottom so excess water can drain out. In addition, sedum doesn’t have strict pH requirements, although it grows best in slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Sunlight Needs
Sedum needs ample amounts of sunlight throughout the growing season to give the leaves their vibrant colors and allow flowers to bloom to their maximum potential. At least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal. Part sun/part shade may be tolerable for some varieties, so be sure to research individual requirements and pick a growing space before you make a decision.
Watering Guidelines
Newly planted stonecrop should be watered weekly while the roots establish. Check if the soil is dry with your finger before watering, if it’s not dry, hold off on watering. Overwatering sedum can lead to root rot or other fungal diseases. However, once a season goes by and the plant is established, you can cut back on watering, and only water when necessary. These plants are wonderfully drought tolerant and love dry heat, but if you experience a dramatic or long-lasting drought, you should give your stonecrop an extra drink.
Mulching Guidelines
Mulch has many benefits in your garden, including: deterring weed growth, maintaining soil moisture and temperature, and protecting the soil from erosion. For these reasons and more, we recommend that all new plantings be mulched. A 2-3” layer of organic mulch will work wonders in keeping your sedum healthy.
Maintenance and Care
Pruning Techniques
While it is not necessary to prune most sedums, some people choose to prune for aesthetic purposes, or to increase their flowering. For creeping sedums that have the potential to spread more than you might want, you can trim them at any time throughout the growing season to stop the spread. For the upright varieties, prune them in spring for a bushier, more compact plant. You can also trim off spent flowers after they’re done blooming to improve the look of the stonecrop. This act is called deadheading.
Pest Control
While sedum are mostly pest-free, they can be attractive to slugs and snails. These pests like the succulent leaves and stems of stonecrop. If you think you have an insect problem, use insecticidal soap or need oil to keep insects away. Occasionally, if there is a severe drought, birds might eat the leaves off sedum in the search for water. You can prevent this by adding a thin netting over your plants, or adding small flashy deterrents or pinwheels around them.
Sum it Up
In conclusion, stonecrop plants are a fantastic choice for any garden, offering a unique combination of beauty, resilience, and low-maintenance care. They thrive even with the most neglect! With their striking variety of colors, shapes, and textures, these versatile perennials can transform any landscape, from rock gardens to container arrangements, and can provide excellent ground cover. Their drought resistance and attractiveness to pollinators make them not only a visual delight but also a practical addition for eco-conscious gardeners. From the showy pink flowers of the Autumn Joy to the bright pops of yellow in the Lemon Drop, there’s a sedum for everyone.
By following the simple planting and care tips provided, you can enjoy the many benefits of stonecrop in your own garden.
McKay Nursery Company has over 125 years of growing experience. Our office and nursery are located in Waterloo, WI, and we also operate two garden centers, in Oregon, WI and Oshkosh, WI. Reach out to us with any questions, or check out our Green Tips page for more gardening advice.