code: 950
ornamental plant is grown in gardens
Family: Crassulaceae
Common name: Stonecrop, Reflexed Stonecrop, Blue Stonecrop, Jenny’s Stonecrop and Prick-madam
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 15 cm
Maximum Height: 20 cm
Sedum reflexum plants have sprawling stems and stiff, quite brittle foliage, resembling spruce branches, with blue-grey to grey succulent leaves, and yellow flowers which open on tall, strong, rearing stems in mid summer. This popular, hardy, drought tolerant, ornamental plant is grown in gardens, containers, and also as house plants, and even on the outside roof!
Sowing advice:
Seeds can be sown at any time but are best sown in winter or early spring to benefit from a cold spell in the wet compost to break their dormancy. We advise covering seeds very thinly with sand or fine grit to about the depth of the seed size. If the seeds do not come up within 6 to 12 weeks the damp seed tray can be given cold treatment in a fridge for about four weeks. They may still take very many months to appear, so please never discard the pot or tray.
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade. Also tolerates drought and heat. Thrives in sandy to gravelly soils of moderate to low fertility. Needs good soil drainage to perform well. Plants will naturalize over time and may spread out of the garden. Site starter plants 8-12” apart for rapid massing as a ground cover.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sedum repestre (synonymous with S. reflexum) is a mat-forming stonecrop that is native to mountain areas in central and western Europe. It is an evergreen plant that grows to only 4” tall but spreads to 24” wide. Pointed, cylindrical, gray-green leaves (to 3/4” long) are fleshy. In cold winter climates, leaves may acquire reddish tones in autumn. Star-shaped yellow flowers (1/2” wide) appear in terminal cymes in summer (June – August). This species is sometimes commonly called rocky stonecrop.
Genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the general growing habit of many of the sedums (they sit and sprawl over rocks).
Specific epithet means “rock loving” in reference to the mountainous native habit of this plant.
Sedums are commonly called stonecrops in reference to the fact that many of the sedum species plants are typically found in the wild growing on rocky or stony ledges.
‘Angelina’ is a yellow leaved cultivar featuring spiky yellow leaves (to 3/4” long) that often sport ginger brown tips. The leaves of this cultivar are the main ornamental interest. In cold winter climates, the leaves usually turn reddish-orange in autumn.
Uses
Excellent ground cover. Border fronts or rock gardens. Best massed or in groups. Site in areas where both the foliage and flowers may be appreciated. Will drape over stone walls. Effective in containers and hanging baskets.
