October Perennial of the Month-Stonecrop
Oh, the joys of Autumn Joy sedum. There is a reason this cultivar has been around for so long. It’s tough. long-lived, and it performs in fall, giving our late-season gardens a very fall-like vibe once the pink flowers age to a rich, warm brown.
Autumn Joy (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’ AUTUMN JOY) is just one of many cultivars of the plant group formerly all known as Sedum, but recently have been divided into two genera: Sedum and Hylotelephium.
No matter the correct or current name, this plant and all its cultivars are tough as nails and long-lived. Another common name it’s known by is “live forever” due to the longevity in the garden. Its succulent nature helps it battle drought, heat, cold, junky soils, and neglect.
Full sun is best, but it will tolerate part sun. Well-drained soil is a MUST. The common name stonecrop comes from the plant’s ability to grow on rocky ledges and outcroppings, so keep this in mind where you plant it. Soils that are too rich tend to make them floppy and leggy.
Other fun cultivars are available like ‘Chocolate Drop’with rich burgundy-brown foliage instead of the standard green. AUTUMN CHARM is a variegated form with creamy white edges on the leaves. There are also white-blooming cultivars like ‘Stardust.’ The flat flower heads on all stonecrop make great landing pads for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Most grow 12-18″ high, but some cultivars can reach almost 36″ or stay below 12″. Research and read the plant labels.
What I love about this plant;
-It really does “live forever,” tolerating drought, cold, heat, and neglect.
-The late-season flowers that age beautifully and persist into winter.
-Pollinators love it.
-Japanese beetles do not love it.
-Easy to grow, easy to divide, and/or propagate and share.
What’s not so great;
-It will get floppy and splay outwards if the soil is too rich, it’s in too much shade, or the plant just needs to be divided. Pinching back once or twice early in the growing season may help…but not to my experience if it’s where it shouldn’t be in the first place. Find a rocky, sunny position in the garden, and after it’s established, neglect it.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.
