Orpine

Sedum telephium Matrona

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: August to October
• Flower colour: soft pink
• Other features: attractive to butterflies and bees; the dried flower-heads provide colour and structure in the winter garden
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Succulent leaves flushed bronze with purple stems and clusters of soft pink flowers in late summer. The attractive flowers add a splash of colour late in the year when most flowers are going over and the seed heads also look good if left on throughout winter. A valuable plant that makes an excellent cut flower too.
  
  
• 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.