Sedum spurium

Sedum spurium

 

Common name: Caucasian stonecrop

Family: Crassulaceae

Leaf: thick, succulent, opposite, obovate, flattened leaves (up to 1" long), with wedge-shaped bases are toothed near the ends. Medium green with reddish- tinted margins.  Lower stem leaves are deciduous, but newer leaves near the stem tips are evergreen, typically turning deep burgundy in fall for overwintering. Leaves are arranged in two rows along the stems, hence the sometimes used common name of two row stonecrop. Evergreen.

Flower: Tiny, 5-petaled, star-shaped, pinkish-red flowers (to 3/4” diameter) in dense, 4-branched inflorescences (to 4-6" tall) bloom from late spring to mid-summer (Aug.- Sept.) atop upright reddish flower stems. Flowers are attractive to butterflies

Habit: low-growing, sprawling; Form: matting

Height: 0.25'-0.5'; Spread: 1'-2'



Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade. Likes sandy or gravelly soils. Needs good soil drainage to perform well. Drought tolerant. Avoid overwatering. Plants may be sited 12” apart when grown as a ground cover. Easily propagated by cuttings or division. Plants are evergreen in warm winter climates. Unlike some Sedum cultivars, ‘Red Carpet’ may be grown from seed.

Origin: Caucasus

 

 

S. spurium 'Pupurteppich'

 

 

 

S. spurium 'John Creech'