Stonecrop (Sedum 'Purple Emperor')
Sedum 'Purple Emperor' Stonecrop is a tough, low-maintenance perennial featuring dark purple foliage and dusky pinkish-purple blooms from July to September.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial celebrated for its exceptionally dark, fleshy foliage which provides rich contrast throughout the entire growing season. This resilient form of Stonecrop offers reliable structure, developing into an upright, slightly spreading mound ideal for adding depth to mixed borders. Its resilience makes it a cornerstone for gardeners seeking low-effort, high-impact planting solutions.
The standout aesthetic feature of Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ is the late-season floral display. Starting in mid-summer, it produces large, flattened heads (cymes) packed with tiny, dusky pinkish-purple, star-shaped flowers. These blooms are not only attractive cosmetically but also serve as a vital late-season nectar source for local pollinators, including butterflies and bees.
As a tough, drought-tolerant perennial, this Stonecrop thrives where many others struggle. It demands exceptional drainage and performs best in full sun, though it can manage very light shade. Once established, the minimal care requirements solidify many gardeners’ affinity for Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ among their favorite structural perennials.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Dusky pinkish purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ is best done in spring or fall once soil is workable. The critical requirement for success is excellent drainage; this plant absolutely must not sit in soggy conditions, suggesting sandy or gravelly soils are perfect. Locate your Stonecrop in an area receiving full sun to guarantee compact, dark foliage and sturdy stems, as rich soils or deep shade often results in weak, floppy growth.
Watering needs for this succulent perennial are low to moderate, especially after establishment. While it tolerates drought well, consistent, medium moisture during dry spells will support robust growth, but always allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilization is generally unnecessary; overly rich soils encourage soft, elongated growth rather than the desired compact form.
Managing height and shape can be achieved proactively. Taller varieties prone to flopping benefit immensely from full sun exposure in well-drained soil. Alternatively, pinching the stems back by a third in spring forces bushier side branching, resulting in thicker, more supportive stalks that hold the heavy flower heads upright through the season.
Seasonal cleanup involves trimming the old stalks back in very early spring before new growth emerges, although leaving the dried seed heads standing offers winter interest and food for birds. As this plant spreads slowly, minimal division is usually needed, but clumps can be refreshed every few years if desired.
Landscape Uses
Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ excels wherever year-round structure and low maintenance are prioritized. Its upright, mounding habit makes it an excellent choice for the fronts of perennial borders, where its dark foliage contrasts beautifully with lighter green or silver-leaved companions. Consider massing groups of this Stonecrop to create significant blocks of color, both from the deep purple leaves and the late-season dusky flowers.
This cultivar performs exceptionally well in specialized, harsher environments. It is perfectly suited for dry rock gardens, spilling attractively over stones, and its drought tolerance makes it a reliable choice for xeriscaping projects. Furthermore, Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ integrates seamlessly into containers, providing fantastic textural contrast against finer-leaved annuals or spikier architectural plants.
When selecting companions, choose plants that share similar sun and drainage requirements. Partners like ornamental grasses, Rudbeckia, or late-blooming Salvias blend well, ensuring the entire planting bed remains attractive from summer well into autumn.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sedum is a genus of about 400 species found mainly in the mountainous areas of North America but some also in dry area of South America. Most are succulent. They are tough, drought tolerant, easy-to-grow perennials that feature star-shaped flowers in clusters blooming on fleshy-leaved plants ranging from mat-forming ground covers to clump-forming upright mounds. Some of the most popular garden plants are hybrids.Genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the general growing habit of many of the sedums (they sit and sprawl over rocks).Plants in the genus Sedum are commonly called stonecrops because they are typically found in the wild growing on rocky or stony areas.‘Purple Emperor’ is a hybrid perennial sedum that typically grows in upright to slightly spreading clumps to 15” tall. Masses of tiny, star-like, dusky pinkish-purple flowers bloom in large flattened heads (cymes to 3-6” across) atop stems clad with dark purple, fleshy, succulent leaves. Long mid-summer to early fall bloom. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and bees. Foliage is effective throughout the growing season. Upright sedums were at one point separated into the genus Hylotelephium, but are now generally included back in the genus Sedum.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
The primary concerns when growing Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ relate to excess moisture. Rotting out is a real possibility if the plant is situated in soggy, poorly drained conditions, so ensuring that ‘average, dry to medium’ soil composition is met is vital. Watch carefully for slugs and snails, which can sometimes target the succulent foliage, and occasionally scale insects may appear.
Taller sedum hybrids, especially after heavy rain or if pampered with rich soil, are known to develop heavy flower heads that cause stems to flop over. Gardeners can easily avoid this structural issue by prioritizing full sun exposure and avoiding overly moist or overly fertile soils. As mentioned for care, pinching stems in spring encourages a thicker, bushier habit, providing inherent support to the mature flowering portion of the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Stonecrop suitable for?
This resilient Stonecrop is suitable for USDA Zones 3 through 7, offering reliability across a broad range of climates.
When does Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ bloom?
Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ blooms throughout the late season, typically from July to September, featuring attractive dusky pinkish purple flower clusters.
How large does Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ grow?
This variety usually reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet, spreading to a similar width of 1 to 1.5 feet.
What sun exposure does Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ need?
This plant thrives best when given full sun conditions, which maximizes foliage color and stem strength.
Conclusion
Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ offers gardeners an exceptional combination of dramatic foliage, reliable late-season blooms, and remarkable toughness. By providing the full sun and excellent drainage this Stonecrop requires, you ensure a season-long show with minimal maintenance effort. Check your zone compatibility and plan to incorporate the structural beauty of Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ into your sunny borders this coming season.
Companion Planting
Because Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ demands full sun and dry to medium, well-drained soil, successful companion planting relies on utilizing other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials. Consider contrasting textures by pairing the broad, dark leaves of the Stonecrop with fine-textured plants like ornamental grasses such as Panicum virgatum cultivars, or upright, airy bloomers like Verbena bonariensis. Herbs that thrive in lean, dry soil, such as Lavender (Lavandula) or Thyme (Thymus), also make excellent, complementary neighbors in a sunny border setting.
Wildlife Benefits
The extended bloom time of Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ from mid-summer into early fall provides crucial late-season forage for beneficial insects when many other early spring bloomers have faded. The massed, dusky pinkish-purple flower heads are highly attractive to various species of native bees and adult butterflies searching for nectar before the cooler weather sets in. Planting this Stonecrop also supports the concept of a ‘successional garden,’ ensuring continuous support for local fauna across the growing season.
