Sedum spectabile Neon - Autumn Stonecrop

Sedum spectabile 'Neon' is one of the most beautiful autumn stonecrops with its striking pink flowering that contrasts with its pale-green succulent foliage. It is a hardy perennial plant that is easy to grow, particularly decorative in late summer when it attracts a ballet of butterflies and other pollinators. Truly accommodating, this variety tolerates dry and poor soils, as well as cold temperatures. It survives in low-maintenance gardens.

The 'Neon' autumn stonecrop is part of a group of cultivars led by the famous Sedum 'Brilliant'. This succulent plant belongs to the Crassulaceae family. The species, Sedum spectabile (synonym Hylotelephium spectabile), is native to China and Korea. The 'Neon' cultivar forms a dense bushy clump, reaching 40cm (16in) in height and spreading to 30 to 35cm (12 to 14in). Flowering usually begins in September, and it remains decorative until the first frost. The inflorescences, in flat and dense terminal cymes, reach 12 to 14cm (5 to 6in) in diameter. The tiny star-shaped flowers bloom in an intense magenta pink shade, which is almost fluorescent. The blooms are nectar-rich and honey-bearing, attracting many insects. The aerial vegetation is deciduous, emerging from the ground in spring and disappearing before winter. The thick fleshy foliage is composed of ovate and flat leaves, about 15cm (6in) long, with a slightly bluish pale green colour.

A blessing for areas in the garden where the soil is thin, the 'Neon' stonecrop is primarily a plant for well-drained soil, even when dry. Plant it among stones in a rock garden or above walls, surrounded by a procession of grasses like stipa and eragrostis, and grey-foliaged plants like artemisias and silver ragwort, which also accept these difficult living conditions. Its sculptural appearance is pleasant in a container, and it is also an excellent flower for drying or for fresh floral bouquets.