SEDUM SPECTABILE

Hylotelephium spectabile

Although correctly classified as Hylotelephium spectabile, Sedum spectabile, is a gorgeous ornamental herbaceous plant native to China and Korea and often grown as drought-tolerant groundcover. It goes by the genus common name of stonecrop, a reference to their habit of growing on rocks or stony ledges.

Close up of Hylotelephium spectabile blooms

Under favourable conditions you can expect Sedum spectabile to achieve a height of approximately 40 cm  tall, However, while the broad thick erect stems can grow to around 70 cm, they tend to collapse under their own weight, forming a spiral effect on the ground. The thick, shallowly scalloped, and broadly elliptic, grey-green leaves are formed in an alternate pattern on the top 3/4 to 1/2 of the stem, naturally dropping off from the base of the stem during the growing season.

The pollen rich, star-shaped pink flowers are produced in flat terminal clusters up to 15 cm across which appear in late summer

Grow Sedum spectabile in a moderately fertile, in a well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Plant in full sun. It is particularly drought and heat tolerant, especially once established.

The stems will naturally die off over the winter but leave them in place until the spring when they can be easily snapped off at the base.

Sedum spectabile received the Awarded of garden merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993.

For related articles click onto the following links:
SEDUM SPATHULIFOLIUM 'CAPE BLANCO'
SEDUM SPECTABILE