code: 949
In the wild it is confined to the mountainous rim of north west China
Family: Crassulaceae
Common name: Stonecrop
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 30 cm
Maximum Height: 38 cm
An unusual member of the section Telephium, this non-spreading clump-former opens sheets of bright yellow flowers in early summer on strong stems bearing broad fleshy leaves. In the wild it is confined to the mountainous rim of north west China as far as northern Szechuan.
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.
Cultivation Details
Is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -20°c when dormant.
Prefers a sunny position but also succeeds in some shade. Grows best in a well-drained soil that retains some moisture during the growing season, though it is also drought tolerant once established.
The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies.
The flowers of this species are greenish to yellowish-white
All members of this genus are said to have edible leaves, though those species that have yellow flowers can cause stomach upsets if they are eaten in quantity
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits
Edible Uses
We have no specific mention of edibility for this species but, in general, the leaves of all members of this genus are edible, though not always very desirable
Some caution should be employed however, particularly if the plant has yellow flowers – see the notes above on toxicity
Medicinal
The plant is used medicinally
Propagation
Seed – surface sow in spring in well-drained soil in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made, it is possible to plant them out during the summer, otherwise keep them in a cold-frame or greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year.
Division is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the growing season, though is probably best done in spring or early summer. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cuttings can be taken at almost any time in the growing season, though early in the season is probably best.
