If you’re looking for a beautiful plant that thrives with virtual neglect, a creeping sedum just might fit the bill. Sedums strut their stuff where many other plants dare not venture. They make themselves at home, for example, in the cracks of a garden wall or walkway, on roofs or the tops of gently sloping birdhouses, or even under massive trees where enormous roots monopolize most of the soil’s moisture. They also perform well in rock gardens, borders, and containers.
As seasonal and prolonged droughts make regular appearances across the United States, many gardeners have begun to take a closer look at members of the genus Sedum. Although Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ has become popular for its late russet blooms, its groundhugging relatives are also gaining favor.
Creeping sedums, also commonly known as stonecrops, offer unending interest throughout my garden. They are among the most versatile, drought-tolerant, and easy-to-grow perennials I’ve ever cultivated during several decades as a gardener. Sedums actually decrease work for a gardener as they increase in square footage. Renowned for their ability to spread quickly, these low growers thus keep weeds from taking hold. Although it’s not necessary to deadhead the spent blooms since they eventually just fade away, it’s easy to remove old flowers with a string trimmer. As long as they’re not over-watered, they rarely suffer from any diseases or pests.
While even the poorest soil can nourish sedums—and poor or little soil is actually their preferred medium—good drainage is the key to growing them. Too much moisture, especially standing water, will do what no drought can: It will quickly kill a sedum.
Once established, sedums require virtually no supplemental water to thrive, even in the driest circumstances. Although they are an ideal choice for gardens in hot, arid climates like the western United States, sedums perform well nearly anywhere—as long as they get good drainage. In fact, they are common in cold, alpine regions, where they can be found poking out from boulders or sprouting from just a few inches of scree. There’s at least one Sedum species for virtually every USDA Hardiness Zone. Most creeping sedums prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Sedum ternatum, a native of North America, is one sedum that prefers the shade and a bit more moisture than its relatives.
Creeping SedumsCreeping Sedums, also known as stonecrops
Sedum spp. and cvs.
(SEE-dum)
HARDINESS: The genus Sedum includes more than 400 species of succulent annuals, perennials, biennials, subshrubs, and shrubs native to the Northern Hemisphere. Many sedums in cultivation are creeping ground covers. There is at least one species hardy to each USDA Hardiness Zone. Most are hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
APPEARANCE: Mats of succulent leaves ranging from green to bluegray to reddish bronze are topped with five-petaled flowers in yellow, white, or pink. The leaves of evergreen species turn shades of red and russet in winter.
PROPAGATION: Propagate by seed in spring or fall or by division or cuttings from spring through midsummer.
USES : Plant in rock gardens, walls, pathway niches, and containers; as edging for borders; or in sweeps on hillsides.
CONDITIONS: Most creeping sedums thrive in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They like poor or average well-draining garden soil; no supplemental watering is needed once they are established. They will not survive standing water for any length of time.
As seasonal and prolonged droughts make regular appearances across the United States, many gardeners have begun to take a closer look at members of the genus Sedum. Although Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ has become popular for its late russet blooms, its groundhugging relatives are also gaining favor.
Creeping sedums, also commonly known as stonecrops, offer unending interest throughout my garden. They are among the most versatile, drought-tolerant, and easy-to-grow perennials I’ve ever cultivated during several decades as a gardener. Sedums actually decrease work for a gardener as they increase in square footage. Renowned for their ability to spread quickly, these low growers thus keep weeds from taking hold. Although it’s not necessary to deadhead the spent blooms since they eventually just fade away, it’s easy to remove old flowers with a string trimmer. As long as they’re not over-watered, they rarely suffer from any diseases or pests.
While even the poorest soil can nourish sedums—and poor or little soil is actually their preferred medium—good drainage is the key to growing them. Too much moisture, especially standing water, will do what no drought can: It will quickly kill a sedum.
Once established, sedums require virtually no supplemental water to thrive, even in the driest circumstances. Although they are an ideal choice for gardens in hot, arid climates like the western United States, sedums perform well nearly anywhere—as long as they get good drainage. In fact, they are common in cold, alpine regions, where they can be found poking out from boulders or sprouting from just a few inches of scree. There’s at least one Sedum species for virtually every USDA Hardiness Zone. Most creeping sedums prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Sedum ternatum, a native of North America, is one sedum that prefers the shade and a bit more moisture than its relatives.
Creeping SedumsCreeping Sedums, also known as stonecrops
Sedum spp. and cvs.
(SEE-dum)
HARDINESS: The genus Sedum includes more than 400 species of succulent annuals, perennials, biennials, subshrubs, and shrubs native to the Northern Hemisphere. Many sedums in cultivation are creeping ground covers. There is at least one species hardy to each USDA Hardiness Zone. Most are hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
APPEARANCE: Mats of succulent leaves ranging from green to bluegray to reddish bronze are topped with five-petaled flowers in yellow, white, or pink. The leaves of evergreen species turn shades of red and russet in winter.
PROPAGATION: Propagate by seed in spring or fall or by division or cuttings from spring through midsummer.
USES : Plant in rock gardens, walls, pathway niches, and containers; as edging for borders; or in sweeps on hillsides.
CONDITIONS: Most creeping sedums thrive in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They like poor or average well-draining garden soil; no supplemental watering is needed once they are established. They will not survive standing water for any length of time.
How to Grow Red Creeping SedumRelated Articles
Creeping sedum (Sedum spurium) stretches the term "thrives on neglect" to its horticultural limits. Red-leaved creeping sedum cultivars "Red Carpet" and ”Dragon’s Blood" handle climates across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Four- to 6-inches high with 1- to 2-foot spreads, the succulent groundcovers deepen from greenish- or bronze-red in summer to crimson or rich burgundy in fall. Delicate, star-shaped mauve blossoms crown established "Dragon's Blood" plants in summer. "Red Carpet" produces less-reliable, but equally charming, deep-red flowers. Even first-time gardeners can successfully grow these drought-, pollution- and salt-tolerant plants with a minimum of effort.
1 Space creeping red sedum plants 1 foot apart in sandy or gravelly soil and full sun to partial shade. The plants accept nearly any poor, dry to averagely moist soil, with a soil pH ranging from 6.6 to 7.8. Sedums grown in rich soils develop a loose, open habit unsuitable for groundcovers.
2 Water creeping red sedum every two weeks during dry summer weather. Water only enough to moisten the soil without saturating it. The plant's succulent leaves function as water-storage units, so heavy irrigation isn't necessary. Plants in standing water frequently succumb to root rot.
3 Scatter an all-purpose organic fertilizer around the sedum in early spring. A 5-5-5 formula won't load the soil with nitrogen, which could lead to lanky growth. Apply it at the manufacturer's recommended rate and water it into the soil. Organic fertilizers release their nutrients more slowly than chemically-based ones.
4 Mulch newly planted sedums with a 2-inch layer of rock mulch, applied 2-inches from the bases of the plants. The plants eventually spread to form a weed-choking groundcover that eliminates the need for traditional mulch.
5 Cut the flowers back after they fade in summer with a string trimmer, to keep the plants tidy. Alternatively, prune old blooms and stems in early spring while leaving new growth intact. Deadheading isn’t necessary.
6 Check the plants' new growth for sedum aphids. These flat, pear-shaped insects feed in colonies on the stems and leaf undersides. Wilting, brown or yellow leaves signal their presence. If a blast of water from a hose doesn't remove them, spray the plants with insecticidal soap applied according to the label instructions.
7 Watch creeping sedum for signs of fungal disease. Plants suffering from crown rot break off at the soil line; remove them and replace the infected soil. White powdery mold coating the plants' leaves as they wilt and die is powdery mildew. It attacks plants in humid locations. Prune the damaged leaves and cut back the plants to improve air circulation. Botrytis leaf blotch results in leaf and flower spotting and foliage death; prune affected foliage from lightly infected plants, and remove and dispose of severely infected ones.
8 Divide the sedums every three or four years to reinvigorate them and maintain their tight, compact habit. Plants with reduced flowering and small center leaves are ready for division.
Things You Will Need
Creeping sedum (Sedum spurium) stretches the term "thrives on neglect" to its horticultural limits. Red-leaved creeping sedum cultivars "Red Carpet" and ”Dragon’s Blood" handle climates across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Four- to 6-inches high with 1- to 2-foot spreads, the succulent groundcovers deepen from greenish- or bronze-red in summer to crimson or rich burgundy in fall. Delicate, star-shaped mauve blossoms crown established "Dragon's Blood" plants in summer. "Red Carpet" produces less-reliable, but equally charming, deep-red flowers. Even first-time gardeners can successfully grow these drought-, pollution- and salt-tolerant plants with a minimum of effort.
1 Space creeping red sedum plants 1 foot apart in sandy or gravelly soil and full sun to partial shade. The plants accept nearly any poor, dry to averagely moist soil, with a soil pH ranging from 6.6 to 7.8. Sedums grown in rich soils develop a loose, open habit unsuitable for groundcovers.
2 Water creeping red sedum every two weeks during dry summer weather. Water only enough to moisten the soil without saturating it. The plant's succulent leaves function as water-storage units, so heavy irrigation isn't necessary. Plants in standing water frequently succumb to root rot.
3 Scatter an all-purpose organic fertilizer around the sedum in early spring. A 5-5-5 formula won't load the soil with nitrogen, which could lead to lanky growth. Apply it at the manufacturer's recommended rate and water it into the soil. Organic fertilizers release their nutrients more slowly than chemically-based ones.
4 Mulch newly planted sedums with a 2-inch layer of rock mulch, applied 2-inches from the bases of the plants. The plants eventually spread to form a weed-choking groundcover that eliminates the need for traditional mulch.
5 Cut the flowers back after they fade in summer with a string trimmer, to keep the plants tidy. Alternatively, prune old blooms and stems in early spring while leaving new growth intact. Deadheading isn’t necessary.
6 Check the plants' new growth for sedum aphids. These flat, pear-shaped insects feed in colonies on the stems and leaf undersides. Wilting, brown or yellow leaves signal their presence. If a blast of water from a hose doesn't remove them, spray the plants with insecticidal soap applied according to the label instructions.
7 Watch creeping sedum for signs of fungal disease. Plants suffering from crown rot break off at the soil line; remove them and replace the infected soil. White powdery mold coating the plants' leaves as they wilt and die is powdery mildew. It attacks plants in humid locations. Prune the damaged leaves and cut back the plants to improve air circulation. Botrytis leaf blotch results in leaf and flower spotting and foliage death; prune affected foliage from lightly infected plants, and remove and dispose of severely infected ones.
8 Divide the sedums every three or four years to reinvigorate them and maintain their tight, compact habit. Plants with reduced flowering and small center leaves are ready for division.
Things You Will Need
- All-purpose organic fertilizer
- Rock mulch
- String trimmer
- Pruning shears
- Hose
- Given the right growing conditions and with regular division, creeping red sedum survives up to 10 years. Otherwise, it dies from the center out.