Stonecrop, Sedum spectabile, a fabulous autumn show

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Succulent, deciduous clumps send up bloom from late summer into autumn, and bees crowd the flowers. Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile) is one of the easiest perennials going: it asks for no care at all once settled and shrugs off poor soil — only standing water defeats it, so give it drainage and it returns year after year.

It requires – in truth!– no care at all. Bees love, it, too!

Planting stonecrop, Sedum spectabile

Indifferently from spring to fall, this stonecrop will take root in any season.

• Sedum isn’t very sensitive to soil type, but it’s important to protect it from excess water. Not good at all for gardens that are often flooded.
• It loves full sun and isn’t afraid of scorching heat.
• Adding soil mix to the ground when planting will spur growth and blooming

Stonecrop in a pot, garden box or container:

This is perfect for container growing.

• Use soil mix
• Make sure the pot has a hole at the bottom for water to drain away properly.
• Water when you notice that soil has dried out.
• Repot preferably in spring or fall, but it can go for years without repotting or changing pot.

Propagating stonecrop:

This type of Sedum is best multiplied through clump division at the beginning of spring (March), or by preparing stem cuttings in fall after the blooming is over.

Stonecrop jobs through the year

Every task this sedum needs is tied to a season. Here is when to do what, from planting to cutting back.

Outside these few moments, the plant asks for nothing at all.

Pruning stonecrop, Sedum spectabile

A very easy flower to grow and care for, Sedum spectabile doesn’t require any care at all once it’s properly settled in.

A few tips to increase growth and blooming, if you’re so inclined (this works with all Sedum species):

• water more during growth phases, but stop watering nearly completely in other seasons.

Should you prune stonecrop?

Cut back in spring to trigger the next season’s blooming.

• On sturdy-stemmed plants such as Hydrangea paniculata, Sedum spectabile and ornamental grasses, faded flower heads can be left until spring, since the rigid stems stay upright and catch frost attractively.
• For herbaceous perennials that regrow from the base, cut the old stems back to just above ground level, taking care to leave any new shoots emerging there undamaged.
• Known as the Chelsea chop, cutting stems back by about half in late spring, before flower buds form, keeps late-flowering perennials such as sedum, asters and heleniums more compact and upright.
• Stems that flop apart often signal overly rich soil or too little light, so improving those conditions usually helps more than staking alone, though tall or heavy-flowered plants may still need support.

Which stonecrop variety to choose

All these stonecrops share the same easy nature and the same love of bees, so the choice comes down to flower colour and the size of the clump. Here are the ones most often found on garden centre benches.

Learn more about stonecrop, Sedum spectabile

Stonecrop is one of the most common Sedum species and will feel right at home in any type of climate or soil.

This easy-to-care-for plant is well suited to both arid and moist soils. It’s a fabulous choice as a ground cover plant, and will survive drought very well, however bad the growing environment is.

Sedum also resists cold weather: it’s hardy down to (°F (-15°C).

It is perfect for growing along edges, walkways, and in flower beds or pots to decorate a terrace or a balcony.

Just like the Jade plant, it belongs to the Crassulaceae family.