When we think of succulents, we usually picture compact and slow-growing container plants such as B. cacti, aloe vera, dudleya and others. It is well known that they all have a few things in common – they like a lot of warmth and sun, rarely need to be watered and are definitely not hardy. They are therefore not ideal for our outdoor gardens and must be brought indoors before the first frost. However, as with all things, there are exceptions. Allow us to introduce you to one of the largest – the sedum genus of plants, sometimes called stonecrops or stonecrops. Here we would like to show you how and where to plant your sedum, how and when to water it, fertilize it and generally care for it optimally.
Sedum plants are mainly used in rock gardens
Magical combo Sedum album and pampas grass
Which sedum plants are the right choice for your garden?
As mentioned above, all sedum plants are classified as succulents. They have thick, fleshy leaves that allow them to store water and nutrients. An interesting fact about sedum is that different species and subspecies are distributed almost all over the world. Some species come from subtropical regions and therefore have similar care requirements and characteristics as typical succulents.
But there are also over 50 species of sedum native to temperate regions of Europe. Caring for them differs significantly from caring for their exotic relatives and they can therefore thrive well in our colder regions. Even under a blanket of snow, many of these succulents remain green and withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees. Even if they take frost damage, they will simply grow back the following season.
All Sedum plants can easily be grown in pots at home
In the garden, however, they must be able to withstand all external influences
Many species stay green even under a blanket of snow
List of the hardiest sedum plants
Hot Stonecrop (Sedum acre) – Small, but mighty. This Sedum plant is ideal for rock gardens, prairie gardens and poor soils of all kinds. It has a compact shape and delights the senses with showy sun yellow flowers year after year.
White stonecrop (Sedum album) – Hardy, evergreen, with breathtakingly pretty, snow-white flowers. This Sedum has the same care requirements as its cousin presented above, so it can be wonderfully combined with her.
All of these Sedum plants can be combined with each other as desired
Rock Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre) – This is one of the most popular and commonly grown Sedum plants in our gardens. It develops many rootstocks and grows into a clump-like cushion that can cover large areas of the garden in a short time. This sedum is an effective weed control plant and will suppress the growth of these uninvited guests.
Spanish Stonecrop (Sedum hispanicum) – From a distance one might think that this sedum plant is actually a type of moss. Each one doesn’t cover a large area, only about 15 cm. However, it forms visually appealing and dense mats. In autumn and in dry weather, the fleshy leaves take on a burgundy hue.
Humpback stonecrop (Sedum dasyphyllum) – If you’re a fan of traditional looking succulents with thick fleshy, blue-green leaves, then this Sedum plant is for you. With its cute, oval leaves and cushion-like growth, it is a real eye-catcher in the rock garden. She continues to enchant with small white flowers with extraordinary light pink outer leaves and buds.
Great stonecrop (Sedum telephium) – Maybe you prefer a succulent that forms a small bush instead of a ground cover? Then this Sedum plant is more suitable for you than the ones presented above. It has large, fleshy, serrated leaves, grows upright to 60cm tall and forms large flower heads that attract many pollinators. Cold and frost do not bother this sedum.
Whether shrub or ground cover – there is something for every gardener
Where, when and how to plant sedum
Planting and propagating Sedum is a real breeze. These succulents will take root wherever they touch the ground. To ensure the roots get a good grip, press lightly moistened soil around them. In a few days new growth should already appear – this means that the plant has developed roots.
The best time to plant sedum in your garden is spring after the last frost. While the succulents are still young and developing roots, they are a bit more susceptible to cold weather. Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot in your garden where the soil is loose and well-drained. All succulents are sensitive to root rot and require a dry substrate.
Cover the soil around the plant with a mineral mulch such as B. gravel, grit, lava mulch, pozzolan or expanded clay. Organic mulch such as compost, bark mulch, manure, etc. will over-enrich the soil and contribute to limp and fragile growth. Most succulents prefer nutrient-poor, sandy soil. Sedum plants are therefore wonderfully suited for rock and prairie gardens, for wall and even roof planting.
Sedums are among the succulents that also tolerate some shade
Mineral mulch releases small amounts of nutrients into the soil
Watering and Fertilizing for Sedum Plants
Sedum plants are succulents and as such store water and nutrients in their fleshy leaves and stems. However, these reserves are not endless and you can definitely kill your plants if you never water them. Rain is usually not enough.
Slightly shriveled leaves that feel soft instead of taut is usually the first sign of a thirsty succulent. Give the plant some water and watch the leaves rehydrate over the course of a few hours. However, be careful not to overwater them. Less is more here.
What about fertilizers now? All succulents can benefit from feeding them a balanced slow release fertilizer for cacti and succulents. As the name suggests, slow release fertilizers release nutrients over the course of a few months. Therefore, feeding once or twice a year is usually completely sufficient.
Be careful not to overwater or overfeed your succulents
Sedum plants tolerate dry and poor soil better than wet and nutrient-rich
Now you know how, where and when to plant your Sedum, which species are best suited for our gardens and how to ensure their survival. We hope these tips will help you improve the look of your garden.
In the wild, sedum grows directly on rock faces
Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular and are good for the environment
Sources:
my beautiful garden
Natural DB
Where flower paintings grow
