Stonecrop (Hylotelephium 'Pure Joy')
Drought-tolerant Hylotelephium 'Pure Joy' Stonecrop features showy bubblegum pink fall blooms and low maintenance needs in Zones 3-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ is a superb selection for adding structure and late-season color to the garden landscape. As a tough, drought-tolerant Stonecrop, it offers reliable texture starting with blue-green foliage in spring that transitions to lighter gray-green as the season progresses. This plant is highly valued for its resilience and its dependable late bloom, providing nectar sources when many other perennials are finished.
This herbaceous perennial forms a neat, compact mound, rarely exceeding a foot in height, making it ideal for front-of-border placement where floppy plants are unwelcome. Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ thrives in full sun and low-fertility soils, mimicking the rocky habitats where many stonecrops naturally occur. Its durability ensures beautiful texture and color with minimal intervention required by the gardener.
Introduced recently, this cultivar continues the strong tradition of Sedum/Hylotelephium hybrids celebrated for their season-long interest. The stunning burst of bubblegum pink flowers that appear from September through October solidifies Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ as an indispensable component for autumn garden design.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 1.25-1.75 ft
- Bloom Time: September to October
- Bloom Description: Bubblegum pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ is best undertaken in the spring or fall, ensuring it receives ample full sun exposure for the best, most compact growth habit. This Stonecrop demands well-drained soil; thriving readily in average, dry to medium conditions, it excels in sandy or gravelly substrates where moisture retention is minimal. Avoid overly rich compost, as this encourages weak, leggy stems susceptible to flopping.
Watering needs are low once established, reflecting its drought tolerance. Allow soil to dry out between waterings, especially during summer months. Fertilization is usually unnecessary; high fertility can impair its desired sturdy structure. If height control is desired to maintain a tighter silhouette, plants may be effectively cut back by one-third in late spring.
Propagation is simple; divide clumps in the spring, or take stem cuttings during the summer months, which root easily. Even detached leaves placed directly onto the soil surface can often develop into new, full plants. Good soil drainage is the most critical factor for long-term success, preventing the risk of rot common to many succulents in overly wet placement.
Landscape Uses
Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ excels as an anchor perennial along border fronts where its sturdy, mounding habit provides year-round structure. Its relatively small size (spreading just under two feet wide) also makes it an excellent choice for rock gardens or integrated into shallow, rocky slopes where traditional perennials struggle.
Consider mass planting Stonecrop for impactful sweeps of color just as summer heat wanes. The deep pink flower heads contrast beautifully with plants that bloom earlier in cooler blues, lavenders, or whites, such as asters or ornamental grasses. Furthermore, the sturdy stems dry beautifully standing right where they are planted, offering structure late into the winter.
For container gardening, Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ works perfectly as a primary structural plant or as a thriller element in mixed arrangements. Pair it with cascading succulents or contrasting foliage textures to create drought-tolerant displays near patios or sunny walkways.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Dried
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hylotelephium is a genus of about 33 species of drought-tolerant herbaceous perennials native to Asia, Europe and North America, commonly referred to as stonecrop. Cultivar ‘Pure Joy’ was bred by Brent Horvath and introduced in 2011, forming a compact mound of blue-green foliage that supports masses of bicolor pink flowers in late summer, maturing to deeper pink seed heads. This Stonecrop offers excellent late-season interest and robust performance in sunny, well-drained locations.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
Potential issues for Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ are generally cultural rather than pest-related. Pests like slugs, scale, mealybugs, or aphids can occasionally appear, requiring standard insecticide or manual removal treatments as needed. The most significant risk comes from poor drainage; if the soil remains consistently wet, the plant is susceptible to rot. To ensure robust growth and prevent flopping, especially in taller Sedum hybrids, always site Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ in full sun and avoid overly rich, thirsty soils. Pinching stems back during the spring can encourage a bushier structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Stonecrop suitable for?
Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ is highly adaptable, thriving across a wide range from USDA Zones 3 through 9.
How large does Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ grow?
This Stonecrop typically reaches a mature height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, spreading to between 1.25 and 1.75 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Stonecrop need?
Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ absolutely requires full sun exposure to maintain its tight, sturdy form.
When does Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ bloom?
This variety provides vibrant color late in the season, blooming from September straight through October with bubblegum pink flowers.
Conclusion
Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ is a low-stress, high-reward perennial celebrated for its late-season bubblegum pink displays and exceptional drought tolerance. This reliable Stonecrop choice ensures excellent structure and color when many other perennials fade, making it essential for fall interest. Before planting, confirm that your site offers full sun and well-drained soil conditions to maximize the performance of your Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’.
Propagation Tips
The ability to propagate Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ easily adds to its appeal as a cost-effective choice for large landscape installations. The easiest method involves taking stem cuttings during the summer months when the plant is actively growing. Simply sever a four-inch stem section just below a leaf node, remove the lower leaves, and set the cutting directly into dry potting mix or sandy soil. Keep the soil barely moist until roots develop, usually within a few weeks.
Division is another straightforward method best performed in early spring before new growth fully emerges. Carefully dig up established clumps of Stonecrop and gently separate the root mass into smaller sections, ensuring each new division has sufficient roots and some healthy crown tissue. Replant these divisions immediately back into prepared, well-drained sites.
Even detached leaves from Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ can root surprisingly well, a feature common among many succulents. Allow leaf pieces to callous over for a day or two to prevent rot, then place them directly on top of dry, gritty soil. While slower than stem cuttings, this technique allows gardeners to rapidly multiply stock across sunny, dry garden beds.
Companion Planting
Because Hylotelephium ‘Pure Joy’ demands full sun and excellent drainage, choose companions that share these dry, sunny preferences. Plants that bloom earlier in the season, like ornamental salvias, Russian sage (Perovskia), or hardy coreopsis, pair perfectly, as they finish blooming before the Stonecrop begins its autumn show.
When selecting foliage companions, think about contrasting textures against the fleshy leaves of the Hylotelephium. Fine-textured grasses, such as Sporobolus or low-growing Festuca, provide excellent movement that highlights the static, mounding form of the Stonecrop. The blue-green foliage of ‘Pure Joy’ complements warmer tones like golden sedums or yellow-flowered coneflowers.
For the front edge of a border, consider low-growing creeping thyme or sedums that act as a living mulch across hot, dry ground. Since this plant tolerates low fertility, avoid rich, moisture-loving hostas or ferns immediately adjacent, instead focusing on drought-tolerant perennials for true cultural harmony.
