9 Easy-Care Sedums

Hybrids of S. telephium and S.spectabile, Sedums in the Herbstfreude group are prized for their distinct upright form and showy blooms. Growing between 1-2 feet high and 2 feet wide, all send up flower spikes that can be cut for bouquets. With dusty pink flowers and grey-green foliage, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (pictured) brings masses of color to late summer perennial gardens.

This native from Mexico grows in trailing stems that can reach up to 4 feet long in 6 to 8 years. It’s tender to frost and grows well in protected areas in partial shade. Plant in a tall container or hanging pot to best show-off the whimsical “tails”.

This sedum has more of a tendency to sprawl, sending up 6-8 inch stems laden with fat, jelly-bean like leaves. Tips turn red in the sun. Best planted between rocks where it can ramble.

(Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)

Loved for its yellow, summer flowers and hands-off care, Sedum ‘Angelina’ is a popular low-water pick. Its blue-green leaves grow rapidly with minimal water. Plant 9 to 12 inches apart as a lawn replacement. Like other groundcover succulents, it’s delicate, so plant far from romping feet.

This slow-growing species is excellent as edging or tucked into cracks in a rock wall. As a native of California’s coast ranges and the Sierra Nevadas north to British Colombia, the hardy plant has evolved to thrive in poor soil and with little water. ‘Cape Blanco’ has particularly ornamental rounded silver leaves.

This low-growing native of the Eastern Europe grows with trailing stems tipped with rosette-shaped clusters of leaves. Colors vary from ‘Tricolor’ with leaves variegated in green, white, and pink to the ruby-colored leaves of ‘VooDoo’ and ‘Dragon’s Blood’. Mass plant the red-leafed varieties for a splash of rich color.

This taller Sedum species grows up to 2 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide and is best used in mixed perennial borders. Leaf color varies from deep burgandy ‘Purple Emperor’ to medium green ‘Matrona’. Long-lasting flower spikes change color as they mature and make excellent cut flowers.

Forming a tight cushion of needle-like leaves, this stonecrop is a welcome addition to rock gardens and container designs. At maturity, Sedum hispanicum only reaches 2 inches tall and 8 inches wide making it a useful ground cover to plant between stepping-stones.

Made up of masses of tiny rosettes, this evergreen sedum is an ideal choice for pairing with Echeveria in containers or planted to spill over rock walls. Sedum pachyclados requires little water to thrive and grows best in full sun to part shade. In summer, tiny star-like white flowers cover the plant.