Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre)
Low-maintenance Sedum rupestre offers evergreen, mat-forming ground cover with bright yellow summer blooms. Ideal for dry, sunny spots.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Sedum rupestre, commonly known as Stonecrop, is a highly valued, mat-forming succulent lauded for its exceptional hardiness and evergreen foliage. Native to the mountainous regions of Central and Western Europe, this ground cover brings texture and dependable color to challenging garden locations. It persists beautifully through the year, offering pointed, fleshy, gray-green leaves that often take on hints of red during cold winter periods.
This species excels as a resilient filler, thriving in dry, sunny conditions where many traditional ground covers struggle. Its star-shaped yellow flowers create a bright spectacle during mid-summer, attracting attention without demanding much in return. The proliferation of common names, including Welsh stonecrop and Jenny’s Stonecrop, reflects its widespread appeal and adaptability across various garden styles.
For gardeners seeking a drought-tolerant, virtually maintenance-free solution, Sedum rupestre is an excellent choice for rapid coverage. Whether softening the edges of a walkway or cascading over retaining walls, this Stonecrop establishes quickly, forming dense mats that suppress weeds effectively.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Central and western Europe
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The primary requirement for successfully growing Sedum rupestre is excellent soil drainage. This Stonecrop thrives in average, dry to medium soils, but it truly excels in sandy or gravelly substrates with moderate to low fertility. Plant starter specimens 8 to 12 inches apart to encourage rapid massing when using it as a dense ground cover.
Once established, watering needs are minimal; allow the soil to dry out between irrigation sessions, as these succulents hate sitting in saturated conditions. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary, contributing to the low maintenance profile of this species. If pruning is required, it is usually only to control aggressive spread, as the plants naturally naturalize and may creep beyond designated boundaries over time.
While plants tolerate some light shade, full sun maximizes foliage color and flower production. In colder winter climates, be observant as the leaves may show attractive reddish tones in the autumn, providing late-season interest before required spring cleanup.
Landscape Uses
Sedum rupestre is an outstanding choice when seeking reliable, low-growing coverage. Its dense, mat-forming habit makes it perfect for use as durable ground cover, effectively eliminating bare spots and minimizing weeding efforts. It performs exceptionally well along border fronts, nestled into sunny rock gardens, or cascading over the edges of stone walls, providing a softening contrast to hardscaping.
When designing, consider massing this Stonecrop or planting it in large groups to amplify the visual impact of the summer yellow blooms. While excellent in the ground, its trailing nature also makes it effective in containers and hanging baskets, allowing the architectural grey-green foliage to spill over the sides.
This rugged Stonecrop pairs well with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials and rock garden inhabitants, such as creeping thyme or various low-growing Sedums that offer contrasting colors or textures.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sedum rupestre (synonymous with S. Reflexum) is a mat-forming stonecrop that is native to mountain areas in central and western Europe. It is an evergreen plant that grows to only 4” tall but spreads to 24” wide, featuring pointed, cylindrical, gray-green fleshy leaves. Star-shaped yellow flowers appear in terminal cymes in summer (June - August), and the genus name Sedum refers to the plants’ habit of “sitting” or sprawling over rocks.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
This plant rarely suffers from serious insect or disease issues, which contributes significantly to its low maintenance rating. However, gardeners should remain vigilant for common moisture-related pests like slugs and snails, especially during damp periods near new growth. Occasionally, scale insects may also pose a threat. Management usually involves improving air circulation or applying targeted treatments if outbreaks become significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Stonecrop suitable for?
Sedum rupestre is adaptable across USDA Zones 5 through 8, making it suitable for a wide range of temperate climates.
How large does Stonecrop grow?
This evergreen perennial typically reaches a low height between 0.25 to 0.5 feet, spreading horizontally to cover an area between 1 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Sedum rupestre need?
This Stonecrop requires full sun exposure to perform optimally, though it can tolerate some light shade, especially during the hottest parts of the afternoon.
When does Stonecrop bloom?
The attractive yellow, star-shaped flowers of Sedum rupestre generally appear in the summer months, blooming from June through August.
Conclusion
Sedum rupestre offers reliable, year-round structure and vibrant yellow summer flowers with minimal effort, proving itself a fundamental choice for Xeriscaping and rock gardens. This robust Stonecrop will naturalize beautifully, creating a tapestry of evergreen foliage. Check your local USDA hardiness zone compatibility now and plant this resilient succulent in a sunny, well-drained spot this season.
Propagation Tips
Propagating Sedum rupestre is exceptionally easy, making it ideal for sharing or filling large areas quickly. The primary method involves taking stem cuttings, which root readily even without specialized rooting hormones. Simply sever a section of the trailing stem—ensure it has a few leaves attached—and lay it directly onto dry soil, or gently press the cut end into the potting medium.
Since this is a mat-forming plant, division is another highly effective technique, particularly if you need to control or move existing mature patches. In the spring or fall, gently lift clumps of the Stonecrop and divide them into smaller sections, ensuring each piece has healthy roots and foliage attached. These divisions can be replanted immediately into their new locations.
Because the leaves are fleshy and succulent, they can also propagate through leaf cuttings, though this method is slower than stem cuttings. Ensure the cut end of the leaf dries for a day or two until a callus forms before placing it on soil to prevent rot.
Companion Planting
The ideal companions for Sedum rupestre are other plants that share its love for intense sun and dry, well-drained conditions. Pairing this Stonecrop with other succulents creates captivating textural contrasts; consider low-growing Sempervivums (Hens and Chicks) or various colorful Sedum cultivars which offer staggered bloom times.
For a rock garden setting, combine Sedum rupestre with drought-tolerant ornamental grasses or sun-loving Mediterranean herbs like Thyme or Oregano. These combinations enhance the structural interest, providing texture during the seasons when the Stonecrop is not in bloom.
When using it as a border front, ensure companions planted behind it are not heavily reliant on regular moisture, as the Stonecrop’s need for dryness must be respected to prevent root rot in the planting area.
