Sedums
Sedums are easy plants to like. Most are either
small to medium in height, long-lived, drought tolerant,
easy to propagate and they often grow in places that
would otherwise be barren ground.
The Sedums in our list area all the shorter, creeping
types that do well on 'green
roofs'. In many European cities, Sedums have been
growing on flat rooftops for at least 50 years. Small
Sedums are ideal for green roofs because they will
last for decades with as little as 4" of soil
depth (weight is always a consideration when planting
on a roof).
If there is one golden rule when growing Sedums in
any location it would be that the soil must be well-drained.
Even in the Pacific Northwest, Sedums will thrive
in the heavy rains if good drainage is provided.
There are lots of areas in the home landscape where
Sedums would be appropriate. First to come to mind
are those hot dry areas, but our selection also includes
types that actually do better in shade or part shade.
In fact it is hard to think of another plant group
that gives so much to the landscape yet demands so
little.
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Sedum album
Photo credit: Creative Commons
Frank Vincentz
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Sedum album
Foliage: evergreen, height
- 10cm (4"), width - 20cm (8");
green in summer, coral red in winter
Flowers: July-August; white
Zone: 3-8
This is a very drought-tolerant Sedum,
making it a perfect choice for a no-water
landscape. The small jelly-bean-like leaves
break off easily, whenever it is distrurbed
by animals or even in a strong wind. These
little leaves root out and in no time the
plant is found throughout the garden. It
is not considered an invasive plant, but
more of an opportunist, as it colonizes
areas where nothing else can grow.
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Sedum ellacombianum
Photo credit: Jelitto |
Sedum ellacombianum
Foliage - very green, leafy
in summer, dies back in winter; height -
10cm (4"), width - 30cm (12")
Flowers - June-Aug; yellow,
numerous
Zone: 4-9
This stands apart from many other Sedums
because of its preference for shade. It
will grow well in part shade or even full
sun, but needs more water in sunny areas.
The beautiful yellow flowers are held high
above the foliage and add a bright accent
to the shade garden.
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Sedum floriferum
Photo credit: Jelitto |
Sedum floriferum 'Weihenstephaner
Gold'
Foliage: height - 10cm
(4"), width - 30cm (12")
Flowers: June-Aug: intensely
golden
Zone: 3-9
This particular Sedum is a real workhorse
for the green roof technology. It will quickly
form a dense mat of green, giving way to
a long summer blooming period. The golden
flowers are so thick that they hide the
green below. By early winter, the flowers
are dried up and the foliage becomes a sea
of deep red rosettes.
This is another Sedum for full sun.
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Sedum glaucophyllum
Photo credit: Creative Commons
Kurt Stueber
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Sedum glaucophyllum
Foliage: height - 10cm
(4"), width - 20cm (8")
Flowers: April-June
Zone: 3-8
Early spring flowers are always welcome,
however the main feature for this Sedum
is the foliage.The edges of the flat leaves
have both wavy edges which are tinged with
a silver white colour.
This is above another Sedum that grows
better in partial shade.
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Sedum rupestre
Photo credit: Creative Commons
Frank Vincentz |
Sedum rupestre 'Blue Spruce'
Foliage: height - 12cm
(5"), width - 20cm (8")
Flowers: Aug-Sept;
Zone: 2 - 8
The cone-like leaves of S. rupestre are
arranged on a 4-6" stalk which easily
flops over and start rooting out. To grow
this plant successfully is to realize that
excessive summer water will be detramental.
It seems to need a dormant summer period.
Indeed the blue in 'Blue Spruce' is more
intense during cooler weather.
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Sedum sexangulare
Photo credit: Creative Commons
Christian Fischer |
Sedum sexangulare
Foliage: height - 10cm
(4"), width - 30cm (12")
Flowers: June-July; lemon
yellow
Zone: 4 - 9
The zipper-like tiny leaves on 2-3"
stalks is the main feature along with its
ability to colonize between rocks and spread
out on flat ground. In a rocky border it
can be the green mortar, drawing together
all the rocks into a massive display.
This Sedum does well in full sun to medium
shade. It has the advantage of being very
moisture tolerant. Better than average soil
will enhance growth. One last attribute,
its winter colour is russet-red.
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Sedum spurium
Photo credit: Creative Commons
Jerzy Opiola |
Sedum spurium 'Fuldaglut'
Foliage: height - 10cm
(4"), width - 30cm (12")
Flowers: Aug-Sept;
Zone: 3-9
Both of these Sedums are worth growing,
even side by side. There is enough of a
difference with the shape and redness of
the leaves to easily tell them apart. Also,
the pink colour of the flowers are quite
different. For the longest time, 'Fuldaglut'
was my favourite spurium, until I grew 'Voodoo'.
Now I can't decide which of the two I prefer
above all others.
Drought and shade tolerance are the main
attribute and the red deepens during the
winter months.
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hardy field grown plants
