Stonecrop (syn. Sedum Autumn Joy)

Sedum Herbstfreude

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: August to September
• Flower colour: salmon-pink to coppery-red
• Other features: attractive to butterflies and bees; previously known as Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Succulent, lettuce-green leaves, topped with salmon-pink flower-heads in summer, maturing to pinkish-bronze then coppery-red in autumn. This versatile perennial is a perfect filler plant for a sunny, well-drained spot. A valuable late source of nectar for butterflies and bees, the dried flowerheads provide structure and colour in the winter garden.
  
  
• Garden care: The flowerheads look great left during the winter to add shape and texture to your border. In February and March cut back the old flowerheads and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. Once established, sedums can have a tendency to flop leaving an open and unsightly centre, especially in fertile soil. One technique to help prevent this is the 'Chelsea chop'. During the last week of May (Chelsea Flower Show week), cut one in every three stems back to the ground. This will produce plants that are less lush and flower slightly later.