Sedum
( SEED - um )
|
At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of succulent perennials need full sun or part shade and require little to moderate water, though this varies depending on the species. The flowers will attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden. The Sedum genus includes mostly groundcover-scale succulents that are great for rock gardens, and are native to many parts around the globe. Habit and hardiness vary by species, as does size, shape, and color. Use sedums as specimens in pots or containers and border beds. Take care to plant them in an area that does not receive a lot of jostling or foot traffic, as they will not hold up well under these circumstances.
|
Sedum Species and Varietals
The ideal growing zones for Sedum vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
|
Sedum acre (Goldmoss Sedum) This species of Sedum grows in zones A2, A3 and 1-24 and is native to Europe, North Africa, and Turkey. It gets 2-5 inches tall and has trailing stems. Leaves are light green and the plant produces clusters of yellow flowers that bloom in spring. This is an extremely hardy species, and can become a bit invasive if not controlled. Great as a groundcover between stepping stones or in small dirt areas in stone walls. |
|
|
Sedum album Native to Europe, Siberia, western Asia, and North Africa, these plants grow best in zones 1-24. It has a creeping habit, growing to 2-6 inches tall. Leaves are a medium green color, sometimes tinted red. Summer flowers can be white or pink. If using this Sedum as a groundcover, plant 1-1.5 feet apart. Easily rooted via cuttings and stems, take care when planting near more delicate rock garden plants, as it may overwhelm them. |
|
Sedum anglicum Native to Western Europe, this species grows best in zones 1-24. Gets to 2-4 inches tall and has tiny, dark green leaves. Spring flowers are pink or white. If using as a groundcover, plant about 9-12 inches apart for best coverage and performance. |
|
|
Sedum brevifolium This species grows best in zones 8, 9 and 12-24 and is native to the Mediterranean. Gets 2-3 inches tall and 1 foot wide. Leaves are greyish white and red-flushed and summer flowers are pinkish-white. This species needs acidic soil and good drainage, and is best in rock gardens, mini gardens, or in containers with other larger succulents. Will get sunburned in hot, dry areas. |
|
Sedum cauticola This species grows best in zones 1-11 and 14-24, and is native to Japan. It forms a mound of blue-grey leaves and produces rosey-red flowers in late summer and early fall. This species dies back to the ground in wintertime. Variety 'Coca Cola' has silver foliage and pink flowers. |
|
|
Sedum confusum This species of Sedum grows best in zones 8, 9 and 14-24, and is native to Mexico. It has a spreading habit getting to 6-18 inches high and just as wide. Leaves are dark green and shiny and tend to cluster towards the end of stems. Spring flowers bloom in clusters of yellow. Makes a good groundcover but struggles in wet soil and hot weather. It is most in its element during the cooler months of the year. This plant is great in borders and containers, as edging for beds or in miniature gardens. |
|
Sedum dasyphyllum This species grows best in zones 2-24, H1 and H2 and is native to the Mediterranean. This Sedum forms a mat 1.5-4.5 inches tall that can reach about a foot wide. Summertime brings blooms in white streaked with pink. This species needs partial shade. Variety 'Riffense' has leaves in silver-grey that are especially plump. |
|
|
Sedum dendroideum This plant is native to Mexico and grows best in zones 8, 9, 12 and 14-24. It has a branching habit, and leaves are yellow-green (often tinted with bronze). Flowers bloom in spring and are deep yellow. |
|
Sedum forsterianum This species of Sedum is from western Europe and the British Isles and grows best in zones 2-12 and 14-24. It has blue-green needle-like leaves and reaches 8 inches tall and 10 inches wide. Flowers are yellow. |
|
Sedum Herbstfreude Group
This group of Sedum grows best in zones 1-10 and 14-24, and are crosses between Sedum telephium and Sedum spectabile. they grow to reach 1-2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. All species make great cut flowers, and will die down to the ground in wintertime.
This group of Sedum grows best in zones 1-10 and 14-24, and are crosses between Sedum telephium and Sedum spectabile. they grow to reach 1-2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. All species make great cut flowers, and will die down to the ground in wintertime.
'Autumn Charm' ('Lajos')
Leaves have white edges and are 16 inches wide. Flowers are light pink. |
'Autumn Delight' ('Beka')
Leaves are golden green and have dark edges. Plants are 18-24 inches wide and flowers are a dusty pink color. |
'Autumn Fire'
Leaves are green and flowers are a dusty pink. Plant grows to 18-24 inches wide. |
'Autumn Joy' ('Herbstfreude')
Green leaves, flowers bloom in clusters of pink that mature to bronze-pink and rust. |
'Elsie's Gold'
Leaves are golden-green with creamy edges. Flowers are light pink. |
'Mini Joy'
This hybrid is similar to 'Autumn Joy', but is a little smaller and has salmon-pink flowers. |
Sedum kamtschaticum
This species grows best in zones 1-11 and 14-21 and is native to Korea and Japan. Can reach 4-12 inches tall and 2 feet wide. Stems are trailing and set with thick green leaves that are toothed towards the points. Flowers bloom in summer and are yellow when new, and age to red. Great species to grow in cooler climates, and is wonderful for rock gardens and as a groundcover. Varieties are outlined below.
This species grows best in zones 1-11 and 14-21 and is native to Korea and Japan. Can reach 4-12 inches tall and 2 feet wide. Stems are trailing and set with thick green leaves that are toothed towards the points. Flowers bloom in summer and are yellow when new, and age to red. Great species to grow in cooler climates, and is wonderful for rock gardens and as a groundcover. Varieties are outlined below.
Sedum kamtschaticum ellacombianum
4-6 inches tall with bright green leaves. |
Sedum kamtschaticum floriferum 'Weihenstephaner Gold'
Golden blossoms age to orange. |
Sedum kamtschaticum
kamtschaticum 'Variegatum' Leaves are edged in cream. |
|
Sedum lineare This species grows best in zones 1-24 and is native to China and Japan. Gets 4 inches high and has a trailing habit. Stems will root where they touch soil. Leaves are light green and flowers are yellow and bloom in late spring and early summer. If using this plant as a groundcover, plant 1-1.5 feet apart. Varieties include 'Sea Urchin' (with narrow light green leaves to 3 feet wide) and 'Variegatum' (pictured; with white-edged leaves, often grown in containers). |
|
Sedum makinoi This species grows best in zones 5-9 and 14-24, and is native to Japan. It has a trailing habit, with plump leaves and yellow flowers. This species loves shady, rocky soil and regular water. Varieties include 'Ogon' (with round, golden leaves), 'Limelight' (with lime green leaves), and 'Salsa Verde' (with deep green leaves). |
|
|
Sedum 'Matrona' Gets 2 feet tall and wide, with gray-green leaves edged in pink. Leaves age to gray-brown. Pink flowers appear on red stems. Grows best in zones 1-24. |
|
Sedum morganianum (Donkey Tail, Burro Tail) This species grows best in zones 17, 22-24, H1 and H2, but can be grown if given protection in zones 13-16 and 18-21. They are native to Mexico, and produces trailing stems that can reach 3-4 feet in length. Leaves are gray-green and overlapping. Flowers appear in spring and summer sporadically and are pink to deep red. Best when grown in hanging baskets or pots. This species needs rich, fast-draining soil, and protection from wind and sun. |
|
|
Sedum oxypetalum Native to Mexico, this Sedum species grows best in zones 16, 17 and 21-24. Gets 3 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. Looks a bit like a tiny, gnarled tree. Leaves are olive green and fragrant flowers are a dull red color. |
|
Sedum praealtum Grows best in zones 8, 9, 12 and 14-24 and is native to Mexico. Leaves are green and flowers are light yellow. Blooms pop in spring and summertime. |
|
|
Sedum x rubrotinctum (Pork and Beans) This species of Sedum grows best in zones 8, 9, 12, 14-24, H1 and H2. Native to Mexico. Has sprawling stems, growing to 6-8 inches long that are set with green leaves with red-brown tips. Flowers bloom in spring and are yellow. Great for rock gardens, containers, or as a small-scale groundcover. Variety 'Aurora' has bright pink leaves. |
|
Sedum rupestre (Sedum reflexum) This species grows best in zones 2-24 and is native to Europe. It has a spreading, creeping habit growing to 16 inches tall and a foot wide. Leaves are a light blue-grey and are closely set on stems. If using as a groundcover, plant 1.5 feet apart for best coverage. Varieties include 'Angelina' (with golden leaves) and 'Blue Spruce' (with needle-like leaves that look like a Blue Spruce tree). |
|
|
Sedum sediforme (Sedum altissimum) This Mediterranean native grows best in zones 2-24 and has a spreading habit. It grows to 16 inches tall and a foot wide, and has narrow light blue-grey leaves. Summer flowers bloom in greenish-white to light yellow. Great for rock gardens or as a small-scale groundcover. |
|
Sedum sieboldii Grows best in zones 2-9, 12, and 13-24 and is native to Japan. Gets to 4 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide with a spreading, trailing habit. Leaves are blue-grey and have red edges, and are somewhat toothed. Entire plant will turn copper in cooler weather, and die to the ground in wintertime. In fall, each stem produces a cluster of dusty pink flowers. They are great for rock gardens and hanging baskets and need light shade for best performance. Variety 'Variegatum' (pictured) has leaves with yellow-white markings. |
|
|
Sedum spathulifolium (Pacific Stonecrop) This plant is native to the California coast mountain ranges as well as the Sierra Nevadas up to British Columbia. It grows best in zones 2-9 and 14-24. Leaves are blue-green and tinged purple-red and form in rosettes on short, trailing stems. Flowers are light yellow and pop in spring and summer. It is great as a groundcover and when planted in rock gardens. It is a very drought-tolerant Sedum species. Variety 'Cape Blanco' has great leaf color. |
|
Sedum spectabile This native of China and Korea grows to 1.5 feet tall and wide, and grows best in zones 1-24. Leaves are blue-green and flower clusters in late summer and fall are pink and mature to a dark brown seed head. Dies back to the ground in wintertime. Varieties include 'Brilliant' (with deep rose flowers) and 'Neon' (with bright pink flowers). |
|
Sedum spurium
This species grows best in zones 1-10 and 14-24 and is native to the Caucasus. It is a low-growing species with a trailing habit, and dark green or bronze-tinted leaves. Summer flowers are pink, purple or white. Great for rock gardens and groundcover purposes. Varieties are outlined below.
This species grows best in zones 1-10 and 14-24 and is native to the Caucasus. It is a low-growing species with a trailing habit, and dark green or bronze-tinted leaves. Summer flowers are pink, purple or white. Great for rock gardens and groundcover purposes. Varieties are outlined below.
'Dragon's Blood' ('Schorbuser Blut')
Purple-bronze leaves and dark red flowers. |
'Red Carpet'
Red leaves and blooms. |
'Fuldaglut'
Rosy-pink flower clusters and red leaves. |
'John Creech'
Scalloped green leaves and pink flowers. |
'Tricolor'
Leaves are variegated with green, white, and pink. Flowers are pink. |
'VooDoo'
Reddish leaves and red flowers. |
Sedum telephium
Grows best in zones 1-24 and gets to 2 feet high and 1-2 feet wide. It is native from Europe to Japan, and has gray-green, narrow leaves. Flowers bloom over a long season from late summer to autumn in purple-pink, aging to brown-maroon. These plants die to the ground in winter. They need full sun and regular to moderate water.
Grows best in zones 1-24 and gets to 2 feet high and 1-2 feet wide. It is native from Europe to Japan, and has gray-green, narrow leaves. Flowers bloom over a long season from late summer to autumn in purple-pink, aging to brown-maroon. These plants die to the ground in winter. They need full sun and regular to moderate water.
'Picolette'
15 inches tall and a little wider, with bronze-red leaves and pink flowers. |
'Postman's Pride'
2 feet tall and wide, with pink-red flowers that mature to burgundy and leaves that are deep purple. |
'Purple Emperor'
Gets 18 inches tall and wide, with small purple leaves and dusty pink flowers. |
'Red Cauli'
15 inches tall and wide, grey-green leaves with a purple tint and flowers in red. |
'Xenox'
This plant gets 14 inches tall and 18 inches wide, with mauve-green foliage that turns burgundy-purple when mature. Flowers are pink. |
'Yellow Xenox'
16 inches tall and 20 inches wide; Flowers are yellow and foliage is dark. |
|
Sedum tetractinum This species of Sedum grows best in zones 2-9 and 14-24. It is native to China, and forms a three inch tall mat of green rosettes that spread to over a foot. Flowers are yellow and pop in late spring and early summer. These plants need moderate water at first, and little water when established. Variety 'Coral Reef' (pictured) has rounded, rich green leaves that redden in the fall. |
|
Sedum 'Vera Jameson' This species grows best in zones 1-9 and 14-24. They get 8-12 inches tall and 1.5 feet wide, with purple, spreading stems and pink-purple leaves. Flowers bloom in late summer into fall and are pinkish rose. Dies back to the ground in winter. |
|
Caring for sedum
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
|
A field of thea sinensis
|
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'
|
Videos
|
A video all about growing camellias successfully
|
Propagating camellias
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 597 - 600, Sedum
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
