Perennials for Indianapolis gardens: Stonecrop

Sedum 'Frosty Morn'

When many flowers begin to fade in the garden in early fall,  Stonecrop, Sedum sp., starts a flowering show that often extends beyond the first frost.   By mid-September its flowers, most often in various shades of pink, are covered with bees and butterflies.

This is an easy perennial to grow, requiring little special attention in our Indiana gardens.   Just plant it in full sun and basically leave it alone.  By mid-August, the flower heads will form and by mid-September it will be in full bloom.  

Many gardeners choose to not remove the spent flowers in late fall, as the seed heads provide some winter interest.  Most varieties grow to 18 – 24 inches, and taller varieties might need some support to keep from floppy over just as the plants bloom.

Stonecrop is also easy to dig and divide early in the spring, before new branches begin to grow, making it an excellent passalong plant.

The most common stonecrop is the variety ‘Autumn Joy’, which is often used as the common name for this perennial.  Other varieties include ‘Frosty Morn’, which has variegated foliage and light pink flowers, ‘Purple Emporer’ which has dark burgundy foliage and purplish flowers, and ‘Iceberg’ which has nearly white blooms. 

In the garden centers, you may see this plant identifed as Sedum telephium or possibly Sedum spectabile.  It could be also be called Hylotelephium sp., which is the new genus name botanists have given it.  "Hylotelephium"  isn't quite as easy to remember as "Sedum" or "Stonecrop", but none of those names is as interesting as its other common name, Witch's Moneybags.  I'd sure like to know who came up with that name and why!