What is sedum: common varieties with descriptions and photos

Sedum vulgare is a perennial plant that, despite its unassuming appearance, is widely used in landscape design. This hardy and easy-to-grow succulent looks especially beautiful in rock gardens and is also used to decorate flowerbeds and borders. There are many species and subspecies of sedum, which differ not only in external characteristics, but also in their requirements for growing conditions.

Description of sedum

Sedum is also known as stonecrop (Latin: sedum). It belongs to the Crassulaceae family. This plant is widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere and is considered a meadow weed. The shape, height, and color of stonecrop depend on the species and can vary greatly. Almost all varieties of sedum form dense, low-growing grass "carpets" that completely conceal the soil.

Features of sedum:

1. Like all leafy succulents, all sedums have thick, fleshy leaves that store water. Their shape ranges from elliptical, ovate, or broadly lanceolate. The leaves come in a variety of colors—light green, gray, purple, light red, and others. Some species have leaves that change color as the plant grows.
2. Stems average 15 to 60 cm in length, but taller plants can also grow. Stems are sturdy and can be creeping or curved, straight or erect.
3. The root system is well developed and located close to the surface.
4. Sedum flowers are star-shaped, usually with five petals. They come in yellow, pink, purple, and white colors. Sedums bloom in spring, summer, and fall. Some species can bloom for several months in a row.

Sedums thrive in poor soils, require little maintenance, and easily tolerate dry periods. This succulent prefers sunny locations. In the wild, this plant is found primarily in steppe zones, dunes, and rocky soils. Its distribution ranges from Eurasia to Africa and the Americas.

Types of sedum

About a hundred varieties of sedum grow naturally in Russia. Species imported from various parts of the world also thrive in our climate. All are decorative, easy-to-grow, and have a distinctive appearance, making them widely used in landscape design. Below are popular sedum species and their cultivars, with photos, names, and descriptions.

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Creeping

Creeping or groundcover varieties have stems that spread along the ground and reach a height of no more than 30 cm. The plant grows and roots quickly, forming a dense carpet. They are commonly used for landscaping buildings. They are also used to create topiaries, rockeries, and alpine gardens.

Among the creeping sedums there are many evergreen varieties, however, not all of them are able to withstand the winter temperatures of the temperate zone.

Popular varieties of groundcover sedum:

1. White Sedum. Remains attractive throughout all seasons. Forms a continuous carpet that looks beautiful even dusted with snow. The main distinguishing feature of this variety is its star-shaped flowers; they are very small, white, gathered in clusters, and pleasantly fragrant. The leaves are fleshy. It is an excellent honey plant. A disadvantage: it depletes the soil. It is aggressive, quickly filling up empty spaces. Varieties: Coral Carpet (Sea Coral), Murale, White Small-flowered.
2. Sedum acutum. The 'Elegance' variety has succulent, green, glaucous, or purple leaves. It belongs to the evergreen group. It blooms from June to August. The flowers are small and light yellow. During flowering, the plant grows up to 30 cm. The 'Minus' variety has glaucous-green, cylindrical leaves that turn pink in the sun. The height of the "carpet" is 10 cm. It tolerates frost well.
3. Sedum Burrito. It has semi-woody stems, either prostrate or drooping. It belongs to the trailing subspecies. In the wild, it grows in arid and mountainous areas. The leaves are rounded, fleshy, light olive in color, with a waxy coating. The flowers are small, pink bells.
4. Sedum sieboldii. The leaves are bluish-green, fleshy, rounded, and coated with a waxy coating. They turn red when exposed to cold. The flowers are small, pink, and borne in dense umbels. Blooming is late, from September to October. This heat-loving species sheds its leaves in winter. The shoots reach up to 8 cm in height, and the flower stalks reach up to 25 cm.
5. Sedum forsteriana. Creeping, heavily branched stems. Leaves form whorls, merging into a beautiful, dense carpet. The "carpet" grows up to 10 cm high. The leaves are green or glaucous, turning purple in autumn. Capable of rapid growth. Can be grown in containers. It blooms in July, for a long time, but not profusely.
6. Rockweed. An evergreen perennial with stems that spread along the ground. Height: up to 25 cm. Shoots: up to 15 cm long. Leaves are green or bluish, awl-shaped. They may acquire a reddish tint. It blooms for two to three weeks in June-July. The flowers are small and bright yellow. It is widespread in Europe; in Russia, it is found in the Northern Caucasus.
7. Hybrid. In the wild, it grows on rocks, in poor soils, in the steppe, or in clearings. It is found in Russia, Central Asia, and Mongolia. It forms dense mats up to 15 cm tall. The stems are creeping, branching, and slightly woody. The leaves are green, the flowers are light yellow. It blooms in July-August. Frost-hardy.

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Tall or shrubby

These species are most often found in gardens and parks. They can grow in even the poorest soils, including rocky ones. Requiring little care, tall sedums bloom continuously, until September-October. Unlike creeping species, shrubby sedums require more frequent watering.

Tall species:

1. Thick-leaved. A subshrub native to South America. The shoots reach up to 30 cm in length. The leaves are cylindrical, fleshy, and 2.5 cm long. The small leaflets have red apexes. The inflorescences are yellow or yellow-green, and bloom in spring.
2. Prominent. A popular shrub often found in flowerbeds and garden plots. Plant height: 30-70 cm. Large, green leaves, sometimes glaucous, bluish, or purple. Pink, white, and crimson flowers bloom in late summer. Doesn't like overwatering. Suitable for container growing.
3. Red-headed. Plant height: 30-60 cm. Leaves are glaucous-green, flowers are white or pale pink. Flowering begins in autumn and lasts about a month. It can grow in both sunny and shaded areas. Requires moderate watering.
4. A hardy plant. The bushes reach a height of 30-50 cm. It blooms from June to August. It is completely undemanding regarding growing conditions. It can be planted in poor, rocky soil, but requires regular watering. The flowers are yellow, star-shaped, and gathered in inflorescences. The leaves are bright green.

The most unpretentious varieties

Most sedum species are undemanding and hardy. If they do require attention, it's due to the climate conditions to which they're accustomed in their habitats. Some don't tolerate frost well, others don't tolerate drought, and still others don't tolerate humus-rich soils. Each species requires a tailored approach, or perhaps a selection of sedums that require virtually no maintenance.

The most undemanding species:

1. Spanish. A creeping plant up to 15 cm tall. Leaf color varies by variety and can be yellowish, greenish, pinkish-gray, or purple. It blooms in the first half of summer. If grown in dry conditions, it can only be grown as an annual. Self-seeding is possible.
2. Sedum. Grows as a bush with woody shoots at the base. Height – up to 20 cm. Blooms with yellow flowers. Tolerates drought well and loves sun.
3. Hexagonal. Distinguished by its spiral-shaped leaves, it blooms with yellow flowers in June. It tolerates water loss well, can grow in shade, and quickly fills a space.
4. Narrow-petaled. Subshrub up to 20 cm tall. Green leaves acquire a reddish tint over time. Tolerates drought well and is not affected by cold.
5. Trifoliate. Forms dense mats 15 cm tall. Blooms in May with white flowers. The stamens are purple. Tolerates frost and shade well. Requires well-drained soil. It is used for green roofs.

Rare species

There are species of sedum that are rare in temperate climates. Many of them deserve the attention of gardeners and landscape designers.

Rare species of sedum:

1. Alberta. This low-growing species is found in China, in the Altai Mountains. It's very short, reaching up to 5 cm. Its fleshy leaves take on an orange-red "blush" in the sun. The flowers are white, with purple stamens. It's frost-hardy but doesn't like spring floods. It prefers loose, well-drained soils. It blooms in May.
2. Graceful. Forms a dense, thick "carpet" up to 5 cm high. The leaves are dense, green, resembling small cones. It blooms with pinkish-white flowers in the first half of summer. Does not tolerate dry periods. Looks good in rock gardens.
3. Lydian Creeping Plant is a thick-leaved plant, reaching a height of up to 5 cm. The leaves acquire a reddish tint when exposed to sunlight. This evergreen plant is used for borders and rockeries. It blooms with white flowers. It does not tolerate dry periods well and prefers partial shade.
4. Vining. Bushes grow up to 10 cm tall. Leaves are green, turning purple in full sun. It blooms with yellow flowers. Shoots grow quickly and root easily. It prefers shade to partial shade and enjoys moisture. Vining sedum requires winter protection when grown in temperate climates. However, even if it freezes, it quickly recovers through shoot growth.

Heat-loving for home and containers

There are many sedum species that thrive in warm climates. Growing them in our climate is nearly impossible. To avoid giving up beautiful plants, succulent lovers use garden containers.

For container growing:

1. Linear. The bushes grow to 20-30 cm in height. They have mint-green or variegated leaves covered with a bluish bloom. Occasionally, they bloom with yellow flowers. Suitable for hanging and standing pots.
2. Glaucous-leaved. Named for its glaucous leaves, it blooms with white flowers in early summer. It grows up to 10 cm tall and forms dense mats. It prefers loose soil, in partial shade or full sun. In southern regions, it can be used as a groundcover, while in more northern regions, it is only used in containers.
3. Polychaete. Forms mats up to 10 cm tall. Blooms in late summer. Leaves are reddish-brown. Flowers are yellow. Does not tolerate frost or waterlogging.
4. Oregon. A creeping plant up to 15 cm tall. The foliage takes on a cherry hue in full sun. It blooms with yellowish-orange flowers in the second half of summer. It prefers waterlogging and requires good light. It does not tolerate frosty winters.
5. Red-colored. A popular houseplant native to South America, it has fleshy, thick leaves that are red or reddish-green. The more UV rays, the redder the above-ground part of this sedum becomes—its leaves "ripen" in the sun like apples. The flowers are small, yellow. Height: 20 cm. It is classified as a subshrub.

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Sedum is a unique plant that combines original decorative appeal with low maintenance. By choosing a variety that adapts well to the local climate, care can be reduced to a minimum.