<Sedum></Sedum>: 7 groundcover species and varieties
Selection of easy-to-grow, decorative varieties
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Among Sedums (sometimes known as Hylotelephium), some are exceptional groundcovers. Thanks to their ability to creep along the ground, their stems spread and take root gradually, without becoming invasive. They thus make it possible to create very beautiful plant tapestries, especially as they are easy to grow and maintain. To perform at their best, they need very well-drained soil, even dry, poor and stony, and a very sunny position. This ability to withstand drought and heat makes them ideal plants in view of changing climate and watering restrictions gardeners increasingly face in summer. They can equally well be incorporated into a border as be used in pots, rockeries or atop a wall. They are also widely used in the making of green roofs. Here is a list of 7 creeping Sedums with vibrant foliage and flowering, and I also suggest a few ideas for companion plants that thrive in similar growing conditions.
Sedum pachyclados
Artichoke stonecrop (Sedum pachyclados) has distinctive, graphic foliage, which is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on winter severity. Thick, succulent leaves, irregularly dentate at the tips, are arranged in glaucous green rosettes, resembling miniature roses. Eventually, this groundcover Sedum forms a beautiful tapetum that spreads to about 30 cm. In late spring (between June and July), numerous star-shaped flowers open just above the foliage, reaching around ten centimetres in height. Pale yellow in colour, they may show orange-tinged hues, the centre of the corollas being darker.
- Possible companion plants: Artemisia with attractive grey foliage, larger Sedum species with autumn flowering, other groundcover plants such as Iberis (white spring flowering) or Saponaria ocymoides (pink flowering coinciding with that of Sedum pachyclados), and the lightness of a few clumps of architectural grasses, such as blue-foliaged fescues.
Sedum pachyclados as groundcover on left (Photo: L. Enking), and in flower on right
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Sedum ororpin: which variety to choose?Sedum 'Bertram Anderson'
Le Sedum ‘Bertram Anderson’ is a beautiful groundcover Sedum variety, with oblong to ovate, flat and fleshy leaves that are inserted alternately on long creeping stems. Slightly dentate, they display original, changing colours: bluish-grey with green and pink highlights, gradually taking on violet and purple depending on exposure and humidity. Between July and September, star-shaped, melliferous flowers open, their pink deepening as the season progresses.
- Possible companion plants : Tufts of Italian immortelles (or curry plant because of its spice-like scent), Euphorbias, with unusual flowering and architectural foliage, sometimes in surprising colours, garden valerian (which add height and colour in spring), dwarf asters to provide autumn blooms, and the fine foliage of Stipa tenuifolia that punctuates the scene and dances in the slightest breeze.
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Sedum sieboldii
Sedum sieboldii is a creeping stonecrop with attractive deciduous foliage, rounded, bluish in colour, its edge often accented by a pink rim. This colour can sometimes also spread over the entire lamina, even turning distinctly red. The stems, long and supple, are also purplish, and spread to form a dense, low mound (15 cm x 30 cm), which bears dark pink, globular inflorescences from September to October.
- Possible companion plants : colourful carpets of Aubrietas (white or pinkish spring flowering) or Arabis, taller perennials with strong architectural presence such as large Eremurus (foxtail lilies), elegant, airy ornamental grasses such as Stipa gigantea.
Sedum sieboldii (photo: C. Sanvito)
Sedum kamtschaticum
Kamchatka stonecrop offers compact growth, enabling creation of attractive cushions with semi-evergreen foliage. 10 cm high with 25 cm spread, this small perennial groundcover displays throughout the growing season crenate, leathery foliage of a lovely green that can turn red as autumn approaches. Its tiny star-shaped flowers appear in abundance between July and September. Yellow, they are brightened by a more orange centre before turning pink as they fade.
- Possible companion plants: Campanula poscharskyana (very attractive blue flowering), Ballota pseudodictamnus (with silvery-green foliage soft as velvet), Salvias (in a range of colours, each more attractive than the last), Stipa arundinacea ‘Sirocco’ (its evergreen foliage takes on lovely coppery hues).
Sedum kamtschaticum (Right-hand photo: L. Enking)
Sedum sexangulare
Sedum sexangulare is also called Six-angled Stonecrop because of its very distinctive foliage. Small succulent, evergreen leaves are arranged in six ranks, forming a spiral, which gives it a very particular and somewhat amusing look. Fresh green, the foliage can turn red, and this dry-site perennial eventually forms a low, creeping clump (10 x 30 to 45 cm), its stems rooting where they touch the soil. In early summer, small star-shaped, bright yellow flowers emerge from the foliage in flattened clusters called corymbs, which attract pollinating insects.
- Possible companion plants: Saxifrages (some also form attractive colourful cushions), Lavenders (for their grey foliage and scented flowering), Kniphofias (providing warm colours and an equally original look), Mountain sandworts (another easy-to-grow groundcover), Moss phlox (their generous spring display is irresistible).
Sedum sexangulare: foliage on left (photo: G. van Noord), and bright flowering on right
Sedum 'Sunsparkler Wildfire'
This recent hybrid variety stands out for its striking, highly decorative and strongly tinted foliage. The deciduous leaves of Sedum ‘Sunsparkler Wildfire’ are rounded and flattened, and their deep red colouring shows some bluish to greenish notes at their base, all delicately highlighted by a dark-pink margin. In summer, and extending into autumn, the flowering of a reddish-pink confirms these warm colours, in small flower spikes that reach about 20 centimetres. This Sedum has the advantage of retaining a compact form, even at its centre, and although it prefers full sun, it can nevertheless be happy in very light shade.
- Possible companion plants: Erigeron karvinskianus (their long-lasting flowering displays pink tones that echo this sedum), Blue oat grass (a grass with a very graphic habit and an intriguing metallic blue), another Sedum but with lime-green tones such as Sedum makinoi ‘Lime’, Houseleeks (their multicoloured rosette foliage and sparkling flowering make them excellent companions for Sedums), Eryngium (some varieties offer beautiful silvery blues, along with very architectural foliage and flowering).
Sedum reflexum 'Angelina'
Sedum reflexum ‘Angelina’ might suggest a miniature conifer with its small tapered, pointed leaves that resemble needles. This groundcover orpine forms a low cushion about fifteen centimetres high and spreads easily to nearly 45 cm, in tones of chartreuse green in season. Its shades then shift towards bronze and orange as temperatures cool, and its decorative foliage persists throughout winter. All summer, this tapetum transforms into a blanket of small yellow flowers, much visited by pollinators.
- Possible companion plants : Santolinas (with grey foliage and yellow flowering), large Perovskia (their upright habit and blue flowering bring very nice pits above the yellow foliage of this Sedum), a California fuchsia (its very generous summer flowering, red-orange, is eye-catching), Nepetas (the ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ variety retains a very compact habit that highlights its long indigo-blue flowering).
Sedum reflexum ‘Angelina’ : paired in a border with Armeria maritima on left (photo : KM), and golden foliage on right
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