Basically, the sedum does not deserve its derisive name; the equally common name stonecrop is more beneficial to the thick-leaf plant. There are around 600 different types and varieties of stonecrops (Sedum), but they are very similar in one way: the plants are very easy to care for and can easily cope with almost any environment.
What varieties of sedum are there?
Popular stonecrop varieties include beautiful stonecrop (Sedum spectabile), golden stonecrop (Sedum floriferum), Caucasus stonecrop (Sedum spurium) and purple stonecrop (Sedum telephium). Recommended Sedum hybrids include Abbeydore, Bertram Anderson, Beth's Special, Joyce Henderson, Karfunkelstein, Matrona and Red Cauli.
Beautiful stonecrop (Sedum spectabile)
The group-forming, late-blooming summer perennial is wonderful for the foreground of beds and borders. It also thrives in containers and pots. The beautiful sedum, up to 45 centimeters high, needs a sunny location with nutrient-rich, moderately moist and permeable soil. The plant, richly covered in pink, star-shaped flowers between July and September, dies in winter.
Gold stonecrop (Sedum floriferum)
This is an evergreen, mat-forming species that grows to around 15 centimeters high and blooms golden yellow in June and July. The absolutely easy-care, very moisture-tolerant perennial prefers a location in full sun.
Caucasian stonecrop (Sedum spurium)
The Caucasus stonecrop is a mat-forming, evergreen plant that is very suitable as a ground cover. The perennial grows to a maximum height of 10 centimeters, but quickly expands in width. The very fast-growing and easy-care plant prefers a sunny location.
Purple Stonecrop (Sedum telephium)
This group-forming, winter-herbaceous perennial is a beautiful and structuring plant for the foreground of sunny perennial beds and borders. The purple leaves are striking.
Recommended Sedum hybrids
Here we present you some particularly beautiful Sedum hybrids (all descended from the purple stonecrop Sedum telephium, among other things), which are also very similar to their parents in terms of location, use and propagation.
| Description | Parents | Growth height and shape | Leaves | Bloom | Flowering time | Planting requirements per square meter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeydore | S. spectabile, S. telephinum | 45 cm, upright | blue-green, later violet | light pink | August to September | 3 to 4 |
| Bertram Anderson | S. cauticola | 25 cm, creeping | dark purple | pink violet | June to August | 9 to 12 |
| Beth’s Special | S. telephium | 50 cm, upright | teal | brownish pink | August to October | 3 to 4 |
| Joyce Henderson | S. telephium | 80 cm, upright | violet | pale pink | August to September | 3 to 4 |
| Carbuncle Stone (Xenox) | S. telephium | 50 cm, upright | dark purple | brownish pink | August to September | 3 to 4 |
| Matrona | S. telephium | 60 cm, upright | olive green | pink | August to September | 3 to 4 |
| Red Cauli | S. telephium | 30 cm, compact | blue-green, later dark red | red | August to September | 3 to 4 |
Tip
Most sedum species and varieties are very hardy, although more sensitive stonecrops are sometimes available commercially. So when buying, always pay attention to the right type!