Stonecrop (Sedum 'Thundercloud')
Sedum 'Thundercloud' (Stonecrop) is a tough, low-mounding perennial boasting star-shaped white blooms from July to September.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ is a highly valued, dome-shaped cultivar prized for its reliability and attractive year-round structure. Unlike many taller varieties prone to flopping, this selection forms neat mounds of pointed, gray-green foliage that look excellent even outside the blooming season. It is a classic example of a tough, easy-to-grow Stonecrop perennial.
The primary aesthetic appeal of Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ arrives in mid to late summer when it becomes completely covered in masses of tiny, star-shaped white flowers. These blooms are exceptionally attractive to late-season butterflies, providing crucial nutrition when many other garden plants are fading. Its compact size makes it exceptionally versatile in the landscape.
As a member of the Crassulaceae family, this Stonecrop is inherently drought-tolerant and demands very little from the gardener once established. Its ability to thrive in full sun and appreciate average, well-drained soil establishes it as a staple for low-maintenance gardening designs, providing reliable texture and late-summer interest.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting for Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ should occur during spring or fall in locations receiving full sun. Soil drainage is the single most critical factor for success; plants must have well-drained conditions to prevent root rot. While they will tolerate some light shade, too much shade combined with rich soil leads to weak, floppy stems that compromise the cultivar’s desirable mounding habit.
Once established, this Stonecrop exhibits excellent drought tolerance, requiring only occasional supplemental water during prolonged dry spells. Fertilization is rarely necessary; in fact, planting in overly rich soils should be avoided as it encourages overly lush, weak growth. If planting in very lean soil, an average amendment should suffice, but remember that these plants generally thrive in sandy or gravelly compositions.
Maintenance remains straightforward. Spent flower clusters typically maintain their shape, offering some pleasant winter interest, so deadheading is optional. In spring, simply clean up any old foliage. To encourage extra bushiness, light pinching in the early spring months can force the stems of your Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ to branch more profusely, leading to a denser mound.
Landscape Uses
Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ excels in situations requiring low-growing structure and resilience. It is perfectly suited for the fronts of perennial borders where its compact, 12-inch mound won’t obscure taller plantings behind it. For dramatic impact, mass planting or grouping several plants together allows the sea of white summer flowers to read clearly across the garden space.
Containers and rock gardens are ideal settings for this Stonecrop, as these environments naturally promote the sharp soil drainage the plant requires. The dense, textural foliage provides a beautiful contrast to spiky ornamental grasses or silvery-leaved companions that share similar sun and soil demands. Wherever you need dependable, drought-tolerant ground cover that breaks up large expanses of stone or mulch, this cultivar performs admirably.
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. ‘Thundercloud’ is a dome-shaped cultivar that typically grows in a low mound to 12” tall and 12” wide, featuring pointed, gray-green leaves and tiny, star-shaped, white flowers attractive to butterflies.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
The primary issue to watch for with Sedum is rotting out, which occurs if the plant sits in wet, poorly drained soil, especially during winter dormancy. Slugs and snails may occasionally feed on the fleshy leaves, though this succulent is generally not a primary garden pest target. Taller sedum varieties are often susceptible to flopping over, but the compact nature of Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ often mitigates this risk. To ensure strong, upright growth, always provide maximum sun exposure and avoid overly rich soil amendments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Stonecrop suitable for?
Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8, making it adaptable across a wide range of temperate climates.
How large does Stonecrop grow?
When mature, this Stonecrop reaches a height between 0.5 and 1 foot tall, with a similar spread, forming a dense, low mound.
When does Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ bloom?
This perennial provides late-season color, typically blooming with masses of white flowers from July straight through September.
What sun exposure does Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ need?
For the best performance, compact growth, and profuse bloom, you must site Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ in a location that receives full sun daily.
Conclusion
Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ offers exceptional value through its structural form, exceptional drought tolerance, and reliable late-summer bloom display. This specific Stonecrop variety provides low-maintenance beauty, making it perfect for novice and expert gardeners alike. Ensure ample sunshine and excellent drainage, and plan to incorporate this resilient plant into your rock gardens or border edges this growing season.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions involves matching the full sun and dry soil requirements of this Stonecrop. Plants that thrive in lean, sharp-draining media will flourish alongside it, creating a unified, architectural planting scheme. Consider pairing textural plants like ornamental grasses such as Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) or varieties of Switchgrass.
For contrasting flower shapes, look toward plants that bloom earlier or later than the mid-to-late summer window of the Sedum ‘Thundercloud’. Yarrow (Achillea) varieties with flat flower heads offer a slight color contrast if you choose cultivars other than white, while salvias provide vertical spikes of deep color near the low mounds.
Wildlife Benefits
This late-blooming Stonecrop plays a vital role in supporting pollinator populations as the garden winds down for the season. The dense clusters of small, nectar-rich white flowers on Sedum ‘Thundercloud’ are highly attractive to various butterfly species seeking sustenance before migration or winter. Planting this variety near late-season vegetable gardens or butterfly feeding stations is an excellent strategy.
Furthermore, the fleshy, succulent leaves offer textural interest, and established clumps can provide minor ground cover benefiting small beneficial insects. Due to its deer and rabbit resistance mentioned in its tolerances, it maintains a secure presence in the landscape, ensuring consistent forage for pollinators throughout its blooming period.
