In autumn, when most of the recognized favorites of the Kingdom of flora played its role on the garden stage, this unpretentious, but very decorative herbaceous perennial becomes the main character.
Summer blooming handsome has long lost its appeal, and this member of the family Crassulaceae fall every day becomes only more beautiful. Tall stonecrop, which include species such as Sedum telephium and Sedum spectabile, at the end of the season get carte Blanche, acting as the main “actors” in the flower beds.
Depending on the type and variety from the end of August to October, the stems of this herbaceous perennial with a height of 40 to 60 cm are crowned with large inflorescences of pink, red, purple, and sometimes white tones. Moreover, some varietal plants “saucers”as flowering change their color. As, for example, in the stonecrop ‘Herbstfreude’, pale pink flowers which eventually become reddish-brown.
On the left, on the background of dark red leaves and Carmine-pink buds of Sedum Karfunkelstein light yellow Coreopsis Moonbeam flowers seem more vivid. To the right is a very harmonious looks silver-grey Stachys Byzantine in tandem with Herbstfreude Sedum with pink flowers. Later, the flowers of the latter acquire a brown-red tint.
By the way, even not yet bloomed green inflorescences, as well as brown, remaining after flowering, the plant is very decorative. The latter, as a rule, do not cut off for the winter, and leave for decoration and structuring of the plot in the cold is not abundant bright colors of the season.
In a large box on the windowsill stonecrop Carl (left) made friends with Helichrysum, ornamental cabbage and Bacopa. Frosty Morn (right) growth of only 40 cm different from their counterparts of the unusual variegated leaves. The plant of this variety is abundantly strewn with flowers throughout September.
Fleshy glossy leaves, “strung” on the stem in pairs, also contribute to the creation of a beautiful appearance of our hero. Most varieties are of traditional light or dark green color, although there are options such as ’Karfunkelstein‘ and ’Red Cauli’, the leaves and stems of which are painted in an unusual dark red color. The most remarkable assortment of stonecrop ‘Frosty Morn’ variegated green and white leaves.
3. Red Cauli with light red inflorescences and dark red leaves in all its splendor appear in August-October. 4. Beths Special blooms in September-October. This is an amazing sight: blooming, cream buds become pink and then brownish
Tall stonecrop hardy and unpretentious, besides they are extremely tenacious, so they can safely claim the title of ideal herbaceous perennials. Judge for yourself:” pet ” does not even need watering and constant feeding. Just a godsend for beginners and very busy gardeners who dream to arrange a profitable flower garden and are not ready to give care for him a lot of time!
1. Indian Chief-herbaceous perennial up to 60 cm in height. Blooms from August to October.
2. The white varieties of stonecrop little. In nurseries the most common Iceberg (pictured) rising to about 40 cm and Star Dust.
- Select the stonecrop Sunny place where the soil is characterized by good water permeability and not too obese (otherwise the plants form too soft and brittle stems, which is why the Bush will disintegrate and spread on the ground).
- Another important nuance that should be taken into account, inviting stonecrop for permanent residence in your garden — old stems should be necessarily cut in early spring!
- And last: if you want to mulch a flower bed with Sedum, avoiding the hassle of weeds, give preference to mineral materials like gravel, not crushed bark that acidify the soil.
Union of power and grace: in the photo, filigree decorative grass effectively complements the stonecrop with massive inflorescences. Gravel garden without stonecrop (right) is simply unthinkable! In the photo our hero company made Aster linosyris and Perovskia, who also love the place drier.