Today I have another great article by my friend Sargam. She’s sharing a guide to growing sedum one of my favorite fall flowers.
Spruce up your autumn garden with the Sedum Plant
Ever wondered how seasoned gardeners seem to have ever-blooming borders? The trick is planting a variety of shrubs that bloom through various seasons. One of the easiest ways to add color to your fall garden is by planting Stonecrop Sedum. This is one of the easiest blooming evergreens you can grow. While caring for succulents indoors can be daunting, the Sedum is a cold-hardy, forgiving outdoor plant. With flat jade leaves that contrast summer blooms.
Three Types of Fall Flowering Sedum
Sedum is often used as ground cover in garden beds. Fall blooming Sedum push out fiery blossoms from late Summer to late Fall, just in time for the bees and butterflies to feast on the nectar-rich flowers. If you are looking to add Autumn interest using Sedum, try one of these three varieties.
Sedum Autumn Joy
This cold-hardy Sedum has jade green leaves; its blooms add a shade of pink to your landscape. A tall variety of Stonecrop, you can grow it behind small bushes of hardy Chrysanthemums. The plant multiplies quickly, especially if the seed heads are left behind,
GROW TIP: Don’t deadhead this Sedum; it can add beautiful winter interest to your garden well into January.
October Daphne
Unlike the more subtle Autumn joy, the Sedum Sieboldii has blue-hued foliage that turns almost ombre shades of yellow, pink, orange, and red. The bright pink flowers set in around early Fall and bloom through November; it looks stunning in mixed flower beds surrounding evergreens like the blue spruce. Standing at about six to eight inches, this Sedum is much shorter than Autumn Joy.
GROW TIP: This Sedum grows well in rock gardens and can withstand coastal conditions.
Orange Stonecrop
Perfect for pumpkin season, the glossy green-leaved Sedum Kamtschaticum has bright yellow star-shaped flowers on a deep orange seed-head. Its size is somewhere in the middle ground between a border plant and groundcover.
GROW TIP: Prune this plant to retain a desirable shape.
Choosing The Right Sedum
To pick the best variety of Stonecrop for your landscape, first determine the season you want it to bloom in. While most gardeners add Sedum as fall interest, certain varieties like the Golden Sedum bloom from early to mid-summer whole others like the Sedum Purple Emperor, bloom from mid to late summer.
Once you have picked the season you prefer to have blooms, choose the plant-based on height and width. This guide to growing sedum will help you get started. A tall sedum can be planted behind a border of mums, while shorter varieties like the Orange Stonecrop can beautify squash garden beds.
Sedum Care
The Right Soil for Sedum
The Hylotelephium plant originates from dry, rocky terrain and is highly drought tolerant. Plant it in well-draining soil with lavender, rosemary, and other low-water- need plants.
The Right Spot for Sedum
Though the Sedum loves sunny spots, it does better with afternoon shade.
Shaping Sedum
Pruning one in three branches will prevent your Sedum from developing a bald spot in the center of the plant. Prune in late Spring to early summer; this will also delay fall blooms.
Divide established plants to increase blooms and overall plant health.
GROW TIP: Always plant Sedum in bunches, several single stalks give a bushy illusion until the plant establishes itself.
Solving Sedum Problems
Sedums and Rot
Being a plant that prefers dry conditions, overwatering or stagnant water can cause the Sedum to rot.
GROW TIP: If you have clay-like soil, dig a larger planting hole than you would and mix in sand and peat moss into your planting site.
Sedums and Pests
Watch out for slugs and snails; carefully treat your garden bed to prevent infestations, especially when the ground is moist in late Spring.
GROW TIP: Creeping thyme, lavender, mint, parsley, rosemary, and sage are all-natural slug and snail repellants. Plant them as companion crops.
Looking for more garden wins? After you plant sedum, browse Planting Fall Bulbs for easy spring color, peek at A Greenhouse Guide for Beginners if you’re planning a mini grow space, and don’t miss 5 Must-Have Fall Perennials for reliable late-season blooms.
By Sargam Merchant
For Home & Travel Cafe By Linette