Succulent plants have fascinating textures and colors. Sedums are a succulent species that are cold hardy, heat resistant, and drought tolerant. They are small, but are extremely tough plants ideal for North Carolina. Read on to learn more about some of the Sedum species that I incorporate into my garden and designs.
In addition to colorful foliage, Sedums send out flowers that range from white, pink, and yellow. I enjoy including Sedum pulchellum because it is one of the first Sedums to bloom in the spring. This species has an interesting pink starfish shaped inflorescence that reaches up to 1’ tall and freely self-seeds.
There are also a few outstanding summer blooming Sedums to plant as evergreen groundcovers in NC. Sedum acre, Sedum alba, and Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ are bulletproof species for a sunny spot. I find Sedum ‘Angelina’ to be a great alternative to Creeping Jenny. Both have similar leaf and flower color, but S. Angelina is not invasive. The foliage ranges from bright chartreuse to a mix with red and orange tones seasonally.
One of my favorite fall blooming plants is Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’. This species pairs really nicely with ornamental grasses. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ has a clumping growth habit with flower clusters that fade from pink to deep mauve. The seed heads add seasonal interest through winter.
Interested in planting Sedums as a groundcover around a stepping stone path or to add a unique texture to a perennial garden? Contact Bright Leaf Landscaping at 919-475-1015 or fill out our online contact form. Design and installation are our expertise, and we are always happy to meet with new clients to discuss potential projects!