Sedum takesimense Atlantis - Stonecrop

Sedum takesimense Atlantis, also known as Sedum 'Nonsitnal', is a truly different stonecrop. It has received three prestigious awards: the Medal of Merit at the Domaine de Chantilly in 2018, the title of Plant of the Year at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019, and the Silver Medal at the Plantarium in Boskoop, the Netherlands, in 2019. There is so much to admire about this small, colourful, and ever-changing succulent perennial: the geometric architecture of its leaf clusters, its beautiful toothed leaves adorned with a beautiful cream border that turns pink in cold weather, its red young shoots, its pink buds, and its golden-yellow star-shaped flowers with a honey fragrance. Extremely understated, accommodating, almost indestructible, with no other requirements than well-drained soil and a bit of sun, it speaks to all our senses. It is a gem for impossible places, heathlands, dry gardens, arid banks, and even flower pots.

Sedum Atlantis (‘Nonsitnal’) descends from Sedum takesimense (synonym Phedimus takesimensis), a species endemic to the South Korean micro-archipelago composed of the Liancourt Rocks, or Dokdo Islands, better known as the Takeshima Islands in ancient texts. It is a small fleshy-leaved succulent perennial, adapted to extreme cold, poor and rocky soils, limestone, and droughts. The basal leaf rosettes persist in winter, while the stems may lose their leaves in very cold weather.

The recently introduced 'Nonsitnal' selection in the USA grows from a thick but non-trailing stump, in a dense, low and rounded clump, reaching about 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in height and 45cm (18in) in width, without invading the space. Its thick, brown, woody stems at the base bear clusters of tightly packed, oval-shaped leaves with regularly toothed edges. They are initially cherry red, then quickly turn dark green-grey with a wide white-cream margin. The margin turns pink in cold weather and when the day length decreases. The flowering occurs in summer, from June to August, at the tips of the stems that tend to flare out. They are plate-like inflorescences, compound corymbs of pink flower buds turning cream, which open into tiny yellow, fragrant and nectar-rich stars. The flowers are very popular with bees and butterflies. Prune the stems just after flowering to maintain a nice habit and encourage new foliage.

Stonecrops are proof that poor soil can grow beautiful specimens for places where other plants cannot live. If your soil is poor, dry, even rocky or limestone, you can still benefit from hardy perennials (they withstand temperatures below -20°C (-4°F)) that require very little maintenance and promise to animate the garden with a constant flutter of butterflies. These succulents are among the easiest to grow and offer flowers and foliage in various shades that are ideal for creating all kinds of displays, whether in borders or containers.

Sedum takesimense Atlantis boasts a fantastic range of colours that are sufficient on their own while allowing for beautiful combinations with other low-growing ground covers. For example, pair it with gold or silver baskets, the small blue flowers of perennial flax, or Geranium 'Rosemoor' or G. 'Rozanne', in not too dry soil. In a natural setting or a dry garden, combine it with stipa grasses, Carex comans 'Bronze', and small grey-leaved plants (dwarf mugworts) that often tolerate the same difficult living conditions. It is also beautiful in a container, where it will tolerate a little watering neglect.