Back in 2011, this beauty was named “Perennial of the Year,” and it’s easy to see why. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that’s happy just about anywhere, look no further. Whether you’ve got a rocky garden, a green roof, or just some poor, sandy soil that nothing else likes, this plant will thrive. When it hits its peak, it puts on a show with big, flat-topped flower clusters in a variety of gorgeous colors.
All About Stonecrop (Sedum)
In Germany, it’s known as “Fetthenne” (literally “fat hen”) because of its thick, succulent leaves. These leaves act like little water tanks, allowing the plant to stay hydrated even during a dry spell. The *Sedum* genus is huge, with about 500 species in the Crassulaceae family. A close cousin you might know is Stonecrop groundcover, which stays low to the earth, unlike the upright varieties. It’s actually a fantastic choice for edging your garden beds.
Stonecrop looks absolutely stunning in perennial beds, especially when paired with roses, asters, or ornamental grasses. If you plant them in groups, they’ll be the stars of your garden from early spring all the way through winter. One of my favorite tips? Don’t cut them back in the fall! The dried flower heads look magical when covered in frost or a light dusting of snow. Just wait until spring to tidy them up.
Blooms and Flowering Season
The standout feature of the Sedum is its lush, compact “umbrella” of flowers, which is actually made up of hundreds of tiny individual blossoms. Depending on the variety, they usually start blooming in June and keep going well into late autumn. You’ll find them in shades like:
- Bright red
- Soft pink
- Deep burgundy
- Crisp white
- Sunny yellow
The flowers really pop against the plant’s interesting foliage. Depending on which type you plant, the leaf rosettes can range from gray-green and classic emerald to yellow, copper, or even a shimmering silver.
Bloom Times for Different Sedum Varieties
Because there are so many species, you can actually time your planting so that something is always in bloom. If you mix a few different types, you’ll have beautiful flower clusters from late spring until the first frost. Here are a few popular ones to look for:
- Goldmoss Stonecrop: Blooms June to July with bright yellow flowers.
- Showy Stonecrop: Blooms July to September in pink or white.
- Caucasian Stonecrop: Blooms June to August in pink, purple, or white.
- Purple Emperor/Upright Sedum: Blooms August to October with deep purple-red clusters.
- Spathulifolium (Broadleaf Stonecrop): Blooms June to August in a rich golden yellow.
- Plumed Stonecrop: Blooms August to September in shades of purple to crimson.
