This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• 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
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  The colour of the fleshy foliage is reason enough to grow this drought-tolerant sun-lover, as it is a dusky shade of purple that intensifies as the summer progresses, providing a beautiful contrast to silvers and pinks. This plant is also valuable though for its long flowering season, producing small clusters of bright pink blooms, which are irresistable to butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects. A great little plant for the front of the border or pot.
  
  
• Garden care: 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.