What is Sedum?
Not sure what sedum is? We can almost guarantee you’ve seen it in your lifetime!
Sedum is quite simple to imagine. Picture a field of succulent-like, flowering plants. They are part of the Crassilaceae family, more commonly known as stonecrops! There are upwards of 500 different varieties--this offers so many colors, growing zones, and sizes!
Sedum is a perennial with thick, succulent leaves, fleshy stems, and usually star-shaped flowers. Some have fun, colored leaves and others are simple and succulent looking!
These specimens are extremely versatile. They work great as a focal point for your garden, a ground cover, a container plant, or a replacement for grass! They’re a strong fighter against weeds, preventing them from growing!
There are two categories sedums are divided into low growing and upright.
Low-growing varieties are short and spread as a ground cover. People love to place these in cottage gardens or in between garden stepping stones. They’re known for being amazing green roofs as well!
Upright sedum forms in clumps that grow vertically. These are popular for perennial borders or even planting in pots!
Sedum is an easy-to-maintain plant! All they really need is sun and good drainage--easy enough, right?
How to Split Your Sedum
Yes, you read that statement correctly. You can split your sedum varieties for easy growing and spreading! This makes it easy to place in rock gardens, to make borders around your cottage garden, or use a few pieces in a pot! Here’s how to make the magic happen:
Keep A Schedule
Make sure your plant is prepared to be split up! Stonecrop is best separated between late fall and early spring. Separating during this time will ensure a healthy and quick recovery! Only divide every three to four years.
Trim it Up
When dividing your sedum after bloom, cut the taller sedum species down to at least 6 inches to provide an easier separation! This will also ensure all of the sedum is in good shape.
Remove from Dirt
Here comes the exciting parts! Dig several inches around the sedum and carefully take out the root mass.
Inspect the Roots
Try to remove as much soil as you can from the roots. Then, inspect the roots for any damaged areas. Clip any damaged roots off.
Cut into Section(s)
Use a sharp knife to divide the sedum. A good size to keep in mind is 4-6 inch sections so they have plenty of roots!
Plant Your New Section
Dig a new site in a sunny spot for your sedum! Plant each section in the new site, making sure it gets planted only as deep as the original plant was growing, and firm the soil around the roots. Most sedums prefer well-draining soil.
#ProPlantTip for Care
Water your new addition immediately after planting! It is important to keep the soil lightly moist while it is still establishing. Reduce watering once new growth starts! Within a month or so, your split sections will seem brand new.
Which Sedum is Right For You?
You’ll definitely want to treat your yard to some sedum! There are many different colors, needs, and possibilities when you plant sedum. Luckily, we have a few different kinds to show you!
Angelina Sedum
This sun-loving specimen is unique and gorgeous! It fits in with any garden as the colors are bright greens and yellow. It is a prostrate form with Spruce-like new growth that points upward as it spreads or drips over the edge of pots or rocks.
Angelina (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) is also drought tolerant and attracts butterflies! It’s also quite easy to grow! It tolerates most soil types as long as it's well-draining!
Keep in a full sun location! It also only requires cleaning up in early spring to prepare for the best growth possible!
This perennial grows well in zones 4-9, so if this works for you and you want a gorgeous, groundcover, this one's for you!
Autumn Joy Sedum
Looking for a little color in your life? The Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’) is your answer! This perennial offers gorgeous, rosy pink flowers that grow on top of the deep green foliage. The flowers grow in clumps creating a cute shape for any landscape.
Autumn Joy is also very drought tolerant! It also prefers well-drained soil, but it does like staying a bit drier than normal. This will help the flowers stay upright! They also love a full sun location!
During the winter months, the seed heads turn a dark brown color--it looks amazing with snowfall!
It grows in zones 3-9, which covers a majority of the United States. Order yours today for a pop of low-maintenance color.
Lime Zinger Sedum
This groundcover is unbeatable! The Lime Zinger Sedum (Sedum SUNSPARKLER® ‘Lime Zinger’) is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and beats out the weeds to keep your yard looking snazzy! Its appearance is a unique combination of colors.
The foliage is a bright green with red borders, creating a sleek and welcoming look! It blooms soft pink flowers in the late summer and fall seasons. The flowers look gorgeous on top of the bright green foliage.
Like the others, this is an easy-to-maintain perennial! Provide it with as much light as possible-this will help produce more flowers! They also like well-drained soil and don’t require much water.
Lime Zinger grows in zones 4-9. Plant this in your landscape to add a gorgeous groundcover color!
In terms of easy to care for, low-maintenance groundcover, this genus is a rockstar. Enjoy your time planting, growing, and spreading your favorite sedums!
Happy planting!
