Sedum kamtschaticum var. middendorffianum var. middendorffianum

The Sedum kamtschaticum subsp. middendorffianum, now named Phedimus middendorfianus subsp. middendorffianus is a subspecies of the Kamchatka Stonecrop. This small succulent plant develops leaves arranged in rosettes, elongated and narrow, channelled and dentate, on upright stems. The small star-shaped flowers, yellow in color, appear in summer. Its semi-evergreen foliage turns reddish under the effect of the sun, as well as in spring and autumn. This Sedum can be planted in dry borders, scree gardens, rockeries, and pots.

The Sedum kamtschaticum subsp. middendorffianum is a succulent perennial plant native to China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. It grows in rocky crevices and stony forest soils, in arid conditions and fairly extreme temperatures in summer and winter. This subspecies forms a spreading cushion reaching a height of 15 cm. Its upright stems bear long and narrow, leathery leaves, ranging in color from green to brownish-purple. The stems branch near the base and can reach up to 30 cm in length. The leaves measure up to 2.5 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width, they are channelled and have a serrated edge in the upper half. They take on various shades depending on the climatic conditions and can even turn red. Its flowering is charming and delicate. Its inflorescences, in miniature corymbs, are composed of multiple golden yellow flowers, star-shaped, with orange or violet anthers, measuring up to 1 cm in diameter. They appear in clusters at the end of the stems in summer.

The Sedum kamtschaticum subsp. middendorffianum thrives in ordinary to poor, rather dry soil, even rocky or slightly chalky, where it requires no maintenance and promises to animate the garden with visits from butterflies. Sedums are indeed easy-to-care-for succulents and have flowers and foliage in various shades that should be enjoyed to create multiple palettes, whether in flower beds, containers, or rockeries. If you have a rich, moist, and heavy substrate, you can also plant them at the edge of a flower bed, provided you add gravel and place them in full sun. Above all, they should not be subjected to excess moisture in winter or covered with dead leaves, as this can cause them to wither.

It can also be planted on a green roof, between paving stones, in a sunny flower bed with low-growing perennials. Give it the company of other succulent plants to form colorful ground covers. It can also be paired with dry soil perennials and Mediterranean garden plants.