What Are Sedums?
Sedums or commonly called stonecrops are plants with succulent leaves and fleshy stems. They are in the Crassulaceae family. They can be hardy from horticultural zones 3-10 so check the plants you purchase to make sure they are perennial in your zone. There are over 400 species on the market. Sedums can range in size from 3 inches tall to over 3 feet tall and can develop foliage colors ranging from chartreuse, gray, green, maroon, pink tint, variegated or dark maroon. Flower color can range from white to yellow or bright fuchsia to light pink depending on variety.
Bloom Time and Pollinator Value
They develop tiny clusters of flowers on terminal ends and can bloom from late spring to late fall depending on variety. The sedums that flower late summer into fall are great for pollinators.
Growing Conditions
Almost all sedums require well drained soil, sun, and very little fertilizer. There are a few that can grow in part to dappled shade and handle slightly moist conditions. A cactus and succulent soil mix is a good option when planting sedums in containers, since it's built for the fast drainage they need.
Sedum ternatum: A Native Groundcover Option
Our native Sedum ternatum can handle more moist conditions and grow well in dappled to part shade. The flowers develop on the plant in early summer and are white star like clusters. It can grow to 6 inches tall by 9-12 inches wide and is a great groundcover for a woodland path.
Tall Sedum Varieties
Taller sedum varieties that are commonly planted are Sedum- Autumn Joy, Brilliant, Neon, Munstead, Tricolor, Hot Stuff, Cherry Truffle, Charm, Fire, T Rex, and Matrona. These are all known as tall sedums and offer late color. The older varieties grow to 3 feet and when in flower can flop over due to the heaviness of the bloom. Newer cultivars stay about 2 feet and tend to stay upright.
Creeping Sedum Varieties
Common creeping varieties planted as groundcovers, or used to cascade in pots are Angelina, sexangular, Blue Spruce, Dragon's Blood, Lemon Coral, John Creech, Rose Carpet, album, and Blue Carpet.
Dividing and Garden Uses
Sedums once established can be divided easily. They are great for rock gardens, and sun gardens. If you're feeding sedums planted in the garden, a light application of an organic flowering plant fertilizer once a season is plenty since they thrive on neglect more than heavy feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What growing zones are sedums hardy in?
Sedums can be hardy from horticultural zones 3 to 10, so it's important to check the specific variety you're purchasing to make sure it's perennial in your zone.
Do sedums need a lot of fertilizer?
No. Almost all sedums require well drained soil, sun, and very little fertilizer to thrive.
Are sedums good for pollinators?
Yes, especially the varieties that flower in late summer into fall, which are great for pollinators.
What's a good native sedum for a shady spot?
Sedum ternatum is a native option that handles more moist conditions and grows well in dappled to part shade, making it a great groundcover for a woodland path.
Can sedums grow in containers?
Yes, many of the creeping varieties, such as Angelina, Dragon's Blood and Blue Spruce, are commonly used to cascade in pots in addition to serving as groundcovers.
