Sedum Black Knight - Autumn Stonecrop

Sedum 'Black Knight' is an interesting hybrid stonecrop with a natural resistance to powdery mildew. It is an incredibly decorative variety, with very dark, almost black foliage, which enhances its colourful pink-red flowering in September. It is a small, upright and bushy plant that has a great effect in well-drained borders and rockeries, in front of taller plants and bushes. This variety also performs well in pots. Give it a sunny location and well-drained soil, even dry and rocky. Hardiness: -15°C (5°F). 

Sedum 'Black Knight' belongs to the Crassulaceae family, which includes many species of drought-tolerant succulent plants. The genus Sedum includes many allies for the garden, with varied shapes and colours. 'Black Knight' is a horticultural hybrid that was recently selected in France by Marie-France Doll.

The vegetation of Sedum 'Black Knight' emerges from the ground in spring, then dries up in autumn. It forms a small clump of leafy stems measuring about 50cm (20in) in all directions. The foliage is composed of small, thick, ovate, shiny leaves. They are dark purple, sometimes becoming black under certain lighting. The flowering takes place in September. At the end of the stems, flattened inflorescences form, composed of a multitude of dark purple flower buds that open into small pink-red star-shaped flowers. This flowering attracts many pollinating insects.

Sedum 'Black Knight' excels in rockeries or dry borders, and performs very well in shallow, even rocky soils. Its disease resistance means it can be easily grown in pots. You can place it alongside other stonecrops (Sedum sediforme, S. sexangulare), houseleeks (sempervivum), aubrietas or deltoid pinks (Dianthus deltoides 'Flashing Light'), for example. Also create a beautiful scene with silver basket, Nepeta mussini, and blue or pink agastaches.