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Stonecrops

Stonecrop (Sedum ). Succulent annual, biennial or perennial depending on species. Many selections are available in all colors except blue. These form attractive ground cover and are lovely interplanted with taller perennials. They also do well in rock gardens. Butterflies love them Sedums make excellent container plants and fill in color pots nicely. The sap may irritate skin on some folks, and eating the plants may cause stomachache. Information about recommended varieties are listed below. At least one member as grown all of these, but we need to test them for hardiness. They have all survived through our milder winters, some with a protective mulch that is pulled away again after the last snow.

• CULTIVATION:

• Location: Plant in full sun. A few species will tolerate part shade. They love the heat and are drought resistant.
• Soil: Well drained, alkaline soil.
• Water: Let the soil dry out between watering, and provide deep water periodically and regularly , but do not over water. Reduce water in late fall to encourage winter dormancy.
• Pruning: Cut back after flowering.
• End of season care: Start cuttings to plant in spring.

• PROPAGATION:

• Sedums may be started from seed in spring or fall (if protected in a cold frame). Make softwood cuttings in early summer. Divide plants every few years and re-plant the divisions.

• TRY THESE SPECIES:

• Golden Carpet (Sedum acre). A spreading, two-inch, evergreen sedum with tiny yellow-green blooms in summer. It survives our milder winters, but needs to be tested for our coldest.
• October Daphne (Sedum sieboldii ). This one has an interesting blue-green leaf form. It has pink flowers in fall and gets about four inches tall. It survives our milder winters, but needs to be tested for our coldest.
• Sedum spathifolium 'Cape Blanco'. This forms spreading mats of tiny white to green powdery rosettes. It has yellow flowers in summer and gets about four inches tall. It tolerates light shade. It survives our milder winters, but needs to be tested for our coldest.
• Dragon's Blood Sedum (Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood' ) Another spreading mat about four inches tall. It has pink blossoms in late summer and leaves are purplish when mature. This one is a common groundcover, but is still nice. It survives our milder winters, but needs to be tested for our coldest.
• Sedum spurium 'John Creech' . Similar to 'Dragon's Blood' but may bloom a bit sooner. It survives our milder winters, but needs to be tested for our coldest.
• Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy'). Forms a busy, deciduous clump with blooms in late summer. The flowers start out a deep pink and fade to a coppery red. It seems to be the hardiest of the sedums, but still needs to be tested in our coldest winters.

  SOURCES:

• Armstrong Nursery; High Country Gardens and other mail order sources.

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