Spectacular Stonecrops – Niamh Mullally’s Top Sedum Varieties
Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
Contributions From NIAMH MULLALLY
With over 20 years of experience in horticulture, Niamh is the owner of Southwold Succulent Co, based in Suffolk, UK. Niamh has a large following on Instagram, where she shares other plants that she grows in her garden, as well as the succulents she is so fond of.
IN THIS GUIDE
- 1) S. acre
- 2) S. album
- 3) S. dasyphyllum
- 4) S. kamtschaticum (Reclassified as Phedimus kamtschaticus)
- 5) S. spectabile ‘Marchant’s Best Red’
- 6) S. sieboldii ‘Mediovariegatum’ (Reclassified as Hylotelephium sieboldii)
- 7) S. morganianum
- 8) S. adolphii
- 9) S. reflexum (reclassified as Petrosedum rupestre)
- 10) S. × rubrotinctum
- 11) S. spathulifolium ‘Cape Blanco’
- 12) S. spathulifolium ‘Purpureum’
- 13) S. spectabile ‘Herbstfreude’ (reclassified as Hylotelephium spectabile)
- 14) S. telephium ‘Vera Jameson’ (Reclassified as Hylotelephium telephium)
- 15) S. telephium ‘Xenox’ (Reclassified as H. telephium)
- References
Sedums, also known as stonecrops, are a number of different species of plants that are characterised by their succulent foliage.
Aside from being succulents, sedums can vary significantly when it comes to their type, size and physical appearance.
The Sedum genus currently boasts 476 species, although some Sedum (26 in fact) have been recategorised in the Hylotelephium and other genera.1Sedum (n.d.). Kew Plants of the World Online. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30001444-2#children
Across our guides, we have collaborated with Niamh Mullally, the owner of the specialist plant nursery Southwold Succulent Co.
Although Niamh is a grower of lots of succulents, some of her favourite varieties to grow are sedums.
“S. sieboldii f. variegatum is hard to beat aesthetically with its blue and pink colouration.
“With a semi-trailing habit, it’s wonderfully used in a hardy succulent hanging basket for summer interest.”
“Another favourite of mine is Sedum takesimense ‘Atlantis’, an award-winning variegated tri-colour sedum with extremely pretty pink new spring foliage,” says Niamh.
“In summer, the variation turns green and cream with exceptionally beautiful yellow flowers. An exceptionally hardy and low-maintenance variety.”
A number of species formerly referred to as Sedums have now been reclassified as Hylotelephium and Rhodiola.
Here are some of the sedums that you might grow in a garden that are still classified within this genus:
1) S. acre
- COMMON NAME(S): biting stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: yellow
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Also known as biting stonecrop, this mat-forming succulent has fleshy little leaves and yellow five-petalled flowers which bloom between May and July and are beloved by bees.
This is a sedum that is native to the UK, naturally growing in dunes, dry grassland and in cracks between rocks.
It can be a great choice for many drier, sunny gardens. It grows to around 10cm tall.
2) S. album
- COMMON NAME(S): white stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: white
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
White stonecrop also grows to around 10cm tall and is native to the UK.
It has fleshy cylindrical foliage, which takes on a reddish hue in autumn, and star-like white flowers in the summer.
A well-drained and alkaline or neutral soil is needed to grow this sedum, which also prefers full sun and as sheltered a position as possible.
It is drought tolerant, but only H4 hardy.
3) S. dasyphyllum
- COMMON NAME(S): corsican stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: white
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Corsican stonecrop is another succulent which grows around 12cm tall and spreads around 20cm wide.
Perfect for a south-facing position in full sun, it will thrive even in poor soil and can tolerate drought.
Small white flowers like stars appear above the glaucous, blue-green leaves in early summer.
This sedum is a great choice for the cracks between paving stones in a sunny and sheltered spot, or even as a lawn substitute in the hottest and driest of gardens.
4) S. kamtschaticum (Reclassified as Phedimus kamtschaticus)
- COMMON NAME(S): orange stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE: semi-evergreen
- FLOWERS: gold / yellow
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
The orange stonecrop is a semi-evergreen perennial with bright green leaves and starry golden-yellow flowers in late summer.
It is a good choice for rockeries or for placement between paving stones in a garden.
This sedum also likes well-drained and alkaline or neutral soil in full sun and is drought tolerant, making it a good choice for lower rainfall areas.
5) S. spectabile ‘Marchant’s Best Red’
- COMMON NAME(S): sedum ‘Marchant’s Best Red’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: pink / red
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
A deciduous type, this perennial sedum grows around 60cm tall.
It has yellowy-green leaves, with stems that are strongly flushed with red.
It bears grey-green buds which open to reveal pink flowers in late summer and autumn.
The stems and flower heads remain interesting and attractive long into winter when the flower heads are a deep red-brown and the stems are brownish-grey.
Place this sedum in full sun in well-drained soil.
6) S. sieboldii ‘Mediovariegatum’ (Reclassified as Hylotelephium sieboldii)
- COMMON NAME(S): stonecrop ‘Misebaya-nakafu’
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FOLIAGE: semi-evergreen
- FLOWERS: pink
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This is a herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial type of sedum.
It has red stems and grey-green leaves with central cream areas.
The flowers are borne in terminal clusters at the ends of stalks around 10cm tall and are rose-pink in hue.
Grow in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade in a well-drained alkaline or neutral soil.
7) S. morganianum
- COMMON NAME(S): burro’s tail
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: purple
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This sedum, also known as burro’s tail, is one to grow indoors rather than in the garden.
“Sedum morganianum is fantastic as a hanging basket in a conservatory or trailing from a pot on a shelf (assuming its in a bright spot),” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“They also can be propagated easily from leaves. Just remove from the stem and lay on top of a tray of grit and they will begin to root.”
It is not hardy enough to survive out in the garden year-round and only has a hardiness rating of H1C.
It is grown indoors or under glass in a mixture of 3-parts loam-based compost, 1-part leaf mould and 2-parts horticultural grit.
It also needs full light and good ventilation to thrive.
Its beautiful trailing stems of blue-green leaves and small clusters of star-like reddish-purple flowers make this a good houseplant choice.
8) S. adolphii
- COMMON NAME(S): coppertone stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: white
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This is another tender sedum which has a hardiness rating of H2 and is typically grown indoors as a houseplant or under glass.
It does best when grown in a specific succulent potting mix, in full light but out of the hot, direct sun.
The fleshy leaves of this sedum are arranged around trailing, rooting stems.
The foliage is green but becomes orange in hot, bright and dry conditions.
These plants also bear small white star-shaped flowers in the spring in domed clusters.
9) S. reflexum (reclassified as Petrosedum rupestre)
- COMMON NAME(S): reflexed stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: yellow
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
A native sedum that is wonderful for wildlife, this option has blue-green foliage and bears bright lemon-yellow star-shaped flowers in the summer months.
Fast-growing and robust, it is a great option for ground cover in more arid areas with full sun and well-drained soil.
This option grows around 20cm tall with a spread of around 60cm.
It is a hardy perennial plant that should thrive in the right situation over many years.
10) S. × rubrotinctum
- COMMON NAME(S): jelly bean plant
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: yellow
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Referred to by a number of different common names, such as the jelly-bean plant, banana cactus and Christmas cheer, this sedum is commonly grown as a houseplant in the UK.
However, it is H3 hardy and can survive in a warm, sunny and sheltered spot outside as long as it is protected from frost.
This is a low-growing perennial succulent which grows around 20cm tall.
It has banana-shaped leaves 2cm long arranged in spirals around its spreading stems.
These leaves are bright green with red tips which may sometimes turn a deeper bronze hue in summer.
11) S. spathulifolium ‘Cape Blanco’
- COMMON NAME(S): spoon-leaved stonecrop ‘Cape Blanco’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: yellow
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Low-growing and spreading, this stonecrop, sometimes referred to as the spoon-leaved stonecrop, has purple-tinged greyish-green leaves and starry yellow flowers carried in small clusters above the leaves.
This sedum can do well in a sheltered spot in full sun, in moist but well-drained soil.
12) S. spathulifolium ‘Purpureum’
- COMMON NAME(S): purple spoon-leaved stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: yellow
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Another highly regarded spoon-leaved sedum, this option grows to around 10cm high and creates low mats of evergreen foliage.
The leaves on this option are not green but rather a purplish red, with some white blooming.
The flowers, borne in terminal clusters in the summer, are bright yellow in colour.
This option should be grown in full sun or partial shade, in a well-drained alkaline or neutral soil.
13) S. spectabile ‘Herbstfreude’ (reclassified as Hylotelephium spectabile)
- COMMON NAME(S): stonecrop ‘Herbstfreude’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: pink
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
An attractive perennial forming clumps around 60cm in height, this ‘sedum’ (now Hylotelephium) has glaucous leaves with a deep green hue and prolifically bears flat terminal clusters of blooms in early autumn.
Herbstfreude translates from German as ‘autumn joy’ – and you’ll rarely see a plant more aptly named.
The flowers form from green-pink buds, which open to pale pink flowers.
These flowers deepen as time goes on to pink then turn a russety, brownish-red hue.
Grow this plant in well-drained alkaline or neutral soil in full sun and good airflow.
This species is tough, drought resistant and H7 hardy – and will grow well even in an exposed location.
14) S. telephium ‘Vera Jameson’ (Reclassified as Hylotelephium telephium)
- COMMON NAME(S): stonecrop ‘Vera Jameson’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: pink
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This mound-forming ‘sedum’ (now Hylotelephium) is a herbaceous perennial which forms clumps up to 30cm high.
It has spreading stems, oval succulent leaves and bears rounded clusters of pretty little star-like pink flowers in the late summer or early autumn.
Like the above, it needs a position in full sun with well-drained soil that is alkaline or neutral.
It can cope with an exposed location and is H5 hardy.
15) S. telephium ‘Xenox’ (Reclassified as H. telephium)
- COMMON NAME(S): orpine ‘Xenox’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: pink
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This mound-forming ‘sedum’ (now Hylotelephium) grows around 0.5m in height.
It has beautiful greenish-purple leaves that transform into a dark purple shade as they mature.
In mid to late summer, pretty pink heads of flowers appear above the foliage, opening from bright red buds.
Grow in full sun in well-drained, alkaline or neutral soil.
Of course, these options just scratch the surface of this genus, which has so many useful plants for water-wise planting schemes.
The above sedums (and reclassified plants formerly known as sedums) are just some of those that you might consider.