Sedum telephium: Upright Stonecrop for Late-Season Color

Mostly groundcover-scale succulents native worldwide, sedums (stonecrops) range from cold-hardy to tender, tiny trailing types to larger upright forms. Fleshy evergreen leaves vary widely in size, shape, and color. Small star-shaped flowers, often brightly colored, appear in large clusters.

Smaller sedums excel in rock gardens, as ground or bank covers, and in small spaces needing texture. Collectors prize them for pots, dish gardens, and miniatures. Larger types suit borders and containers. Most propagate easily from stem cuttings; even detached leaves root. Soft and easily crushed, they don't tolerate foot traffic but are otherwise tough, low-maintenance plants.

Sedum telephium

Native from Europe eastward to Japan. Grows to 2 ft. tall and 1-2 ft. wide. Resembles S. spectabile but has narrower, gray-green leaves. Long-lasting floral display begins in late summer and fall; blossom clusters open purplish pink and age to brownish maroon. Dies to the ground in winter. Plant in full sun (stems flop in shade). Regular to moderate water.