Overview and History
Ask a gardener to name succulents and it won’t be long before they mention Sedum.
Sedum is one of the broadest and most well-known perennial genus. A friend to the novice gardener and trusted performer of the veteran landscaper, you can find Sedum available virtually wherever perennials are sold. They have built their popularity on durability, drought tolerance, and a propensity to thrive in challenging environments.
Basic Types of Sedum
Classifying Sedum into basic types is a challenge that has stumped botanists since Linnaeus first specified the genus. Depending on who you ask, there may be over 700 species, or as few as 200 species, as different classes have been segmented off into new or sub-genus.
Whether you accept the narrow or broad definition of Sedum, three characteristics tend to be true of all Sedum plants:
- A similar growing environment. They prefer to be grown in full sun (tolerating partial shade), well-drained, and generally nutrient-poor soils.
- Thick, succulent, water-storing leaves.
- Clusters of star-shaped flowers that appear at the end
Their habits can be classified into roughly three forms:
- Upright Autumn Stonecrops – these varieties tend to be as tall as they are wide with an upright, clumping habit. Sedum spectabile is one of the most popular species, and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is one of the most popular varieties. These types may also go by the name Hylotelephium.
- Compact Clumping Sedum – Intermediate between the Autumn Stonecrops and Groundcover varieties, Sedum in this class tend to be under 12” in height and have clumping habits that stay where you put them in the landscape. These varieties are excellent for lining the front of the garden border or tucking into rock gardens. Sedum kamtschaticum and Sedum sieboldii are two of the most well-known species in this class. Sedum ‘Bight Idea’ and ‘Pure Joy’ are two of the better-known cultivars.
- Groundcover Sedum – Low, spreading plants. These varieties spread through underground stolons and will create a carpet of succulent foliage. Popular varieties in this class include Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ and Sedum ‘Blue Spruce’.
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Sedum Mojave Jewels Saphire
Excellent in the landscape, rock garden and container plantings; makes a great groundcover.
Sedum Magic Carpet
Spreads easily forming a vibrant colorful carpet around other plantings.
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Notable Sedum Variety/Series
Sedum Autumn Joy (‘Herbstfreude’)
A classic favorite, ‘Autumn Joy’ features fleshy green leaves and large, broccoli-like flower heads that mature from pink to deep copper in fall. Its upright habit and seasonal color make it a reliable anchor in perennial borders and pollinator gardens. Zones 3-9.
Sedum ROCK ‘N GROW® ‘Back in Black’
This upright sedum features deep black-purple foliage that contrasts beautifully with its vibrant red flower clusters in late summer. Its bold color and sturdy habit make it a standout in sunny borders and rock gardens. Zones 3-9.
Sedum ROCK ‘N ROUND® ‘Bright Idea’
This compact variety offers cheerful yellow flowers atop compact mounds of glossy green foliage and red stems. It blooms in midsummer and is perfect for lining the front of the garden border. Zones 3-9.
Sedum Banana Split
This sedum was named for its dark chocolate-burgundy foliage with starry clusters of creamy-yellow, banana colored flowers. Dried flower heads remain for nice winter interest. It has a compact habit and strong stems that don’t flop. Hardy zones 4-9.
Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’
‘Angelina’ is a fast-spreading groundcover with golden-yellow, needle-like foliage that turns orange in cooler weather. It’s excellent for erosion control, rock gardens, and adding year-round interest. Zones 3-11.
Sedum ‘Blue Spruce’
Named for its blue-green, spruce-like foliage, this sedum forms a dense mat and produces yellow flowers in summer. Zones 3-9.
Sedum What a Doozie
This spreading Sedum stands out for its attractive white and green variegated foliage that provides season-long interest in the garden. Plants gain attractive blush pink and creamy pink flowers in the Fall. Zones 5-9.
Sedum mexicanum Lemon Coral®
This vibrant chartreuse sedum has fine, needle-like foliage that adds texture and color to containers and landscapes. A compact, dense groundcover that can be used as an annual in colder zones. Hardy zones 7-11.
How To Grow Sedum In Your Garden
Where to Plant:
- These are plants that are adapted to live with less.
- Most Sedum prefer dry, well-drained soils and handle poor, rocky, and nutrient-deficient soils exceptionally well.
- Planting in consistently moist or nutrient-rich soils can cause stretching and tender growth that flops when the plant blooms.
Zones:
- Sedum can be grown in most zones, with different species handling extreme colds of Zone 3 and others extreme heat in Zone 11.
- While many Sedum are very cold-tolerant, it is always good to check the tag to ensure a plant is hardy to your zone.
- The most cold-tolerant Sedum may struggle with warm zones where they might not get the appropriate amount of vernalization (cold weeks in winter), to recharge them for growth the following season.
Moisture:
- Sedum are succulents and so store a lot of moisture in their leaves. This allows them to go for long periods of time without supplemental watering.
- Most Sedum begin to struggle if overwatered. Some possible side effects include stretching and lowered stem strength, resulting in floppy plants.
- Overwatering may also show as brown spots or cracks in the foliage. Though these symptoms may appear to be from pests or disease, it is actually swelling because of too much moisture that causes bursting in the leaves and a brown scab as the plant seals the wound.
- Fortunately, Sedum are incredibly resilient plants, and these challenges can be resolved by moving these plants to a location with lower moisture or reducing irrigation.
Fertilizer & Amendments:
- Most times, no fertilizer or soil amendments are necessary to grow healthy Sedum plants.
- As a genus, they are naturally adapted to lean, low-nutrient environments and often look their best in situations that reflect this.
- An overabundance of fertilizer can actually be harmful to the plant and detract from its ornamental appeal.
Propagation:
- Sedum are easily divisible from a mature clump to make more plants. Simply dig up a portion of the parent plant and replant it in another part of your garden.
- Sedum are very durable and can be divided and moved at almost any time. The best time to move or divide Sedum is in the fall after they have finished flowering, or in the Spring as they are just emerging from their winter sleep.
Learn More About Sedum
- Spectacular Sedums: Five Fantastic Reasons to Grow Sedums in Your Garden by National Garden Bureau
- Outdoor Succulent Gardening by National Garden Bureau
- Weird Weather: How to Garden in Increasingly Hot, Dry, Unpredictable Climates by National Garden Bureau
- 12 Cool Plants to Look for This Year by National Garden Bureau
- How to Grow Sedum by Dutch Grown
- All About Sedum by American Meadows
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