Sedum anacampseros

Sedum anacampseros, also known as infidel's stonecrop, is a small perennial with a spreading habit that has a unique flowering compared to its counterparts in the same genus. More globose, its corymbs composed of multiple tiny star-shaped flowers are pink-lilac in bud and gradually open to reveal a lovely purple during summer. They perfectly complement the grey-blue reflections of its semi-evergreen foliage, creating a poetic ensemble that attracts pollinators. This accommodating succulent tolerates drought, and poor and moderately calcareous soils.

Sedum anacampseros forms a compact and low clump with a spread of 30cm (12in), composed of stems that tend to sag but eventually arch up to 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) high. They bear semi-evergreen, obovate, thick and flat leaves that are arranged alternately and are sessile. These leaves have multiple reflections: the base colour is rather a blue-grey, with some hints of light green. They harmonise well with the beautiful inflorescences that appear in July and August. Their corymbs are dense and rounded, resembling those of ornamental garlic. Lilac in colour, with a touch of blue, the multiple small buds open to reveal a myriad of dark pink stars, highly sought after by insects.

Sedums are proof that poor soil can grow beautiful specimens with charming flowering. If your soil is poor and rather dry, you can still benefit from hardy perennials (they can withstand temperatures below -15°C (5°F)), which require little maintenance and promise to bring your garden to life with butterfly visits. These succulents are easy to grow and have flowers and foliage in various shades that can be used to create multiple palettes, whether in borders or containers. However, if you have rich, moist, and heavy substrate, you can also adopt them by taking some necessary precautions. They will acclimatise without any problems if you add gravel to the soil and place them in full sun. They should not be exposed to excessive moisture in winter.

Sedum anacampseros is a charming small perennial. Its colour palette easily blends with soft greens, silvers, and the entire range of pinks. It is particularly suitable for poetic settings and brings softness to more showy neighbours, such as echinaceas. At the base of flower beds, it will stand out from the lawn and attract the eye to enhance the compositions it borders. In rock gardens, its large flowers will add volume to more creeping companions.