All About Sedums
Sedums are perennials known for their distinctive, colorful, fleshy foliage in shades from pink, rose, purple, and burgundy to blue, green, and chartreuse—and in stunning combinations. Sedums come in many fascinating shapes, colors, and sizes – from upright varieties to ground covers.
Star-shaped flowers are usually in clusters or sprays that often change color throughout their blooming period. They enjoy full sun but will tolerate some shade. They are very nearly perfect plants. They look good as they emerge in spring and all season, unlike many perennials that begin to show signs of age after bloom. Some are attractive even in winter when the dried foliage is left standing.
Once gardeners discover the multitude of fascinating shapes and colors—and how easy these plants are to grow—they will be sold on adding them to their planting palette.
Sedums provide a list of characteristics every great landscape designer looks for:
- four-season interest
- versatility
- hardiness
- bee-friendly
- dry tolerant.
All thrive in full sun with good drainage. Ground cover types do an excellent job of suppressing weeds. Sedums are a fall color favorite of our designers because they work in so many landscapes. They will make even the driest, rocky bed look lush.
Two sedums love for their great show of color are:
Dragon’s Blood Stonecrop: the red-margined green leaves become brilliantly red with cool autumn temperatures. Deep red flowers contrast with the green leaves in warm weather. This plant is a superb ground cover, border, or rock garden subject.
Autumn Fire Stonecrop: with rich rosy-pink flowers that age to a coppery red. Good fresh or dried for arrangements.
One grower, Monrovia says, “Once gardeners discover the multitude of fascinating shapes and colors—and how easy these plants are to grow— they will be sold on adding them to their planting palette.” Sedums will also do well in containers! There are such wide varieties, so you’ll find plenty of options in various colors.
Interested in making a change in your landscape? Give us a call.
