How many of you grow SEDUM? Autumn Joy is planted and will be in bloom late summer, early fall. Sedum is in the succulent family.

picture from worldofsucculants.com

       ​    I am back from the one day of the Herb Fest in Greene.  Good day, and thanks to all that stopped.  I had our 2 awnings so I was in the shade and so was the gardeners.  Now I need to unload the trailer and I am putting back into the greenhouse.  So lots of succulents sold and here is about one of them.  SEDUM....
 
Sedum is a perennial plant with thick, succulent leaves, fleshy stems, and clusters of star-shaped flowers. Here’s how to grow sedum in your garden!
 There are many, many different varieties and species of sedum—also called “stonecrop”—which makes them suitable for use in almost any garden design. They’re hardy, easy to care for, and beloved by pollinators!
 
We like to divide sedum into two main categories based on the plants’ growth habit: low-growing sedum and upright sedum.
•Low–growing sedum spreads along the ground, reaching only a few inches (or less) in height. This makes them perfect for use as a ground cover along paths, in rock gardens, or cascading down a stone wall.
•Upright sedum tends to form tall, upright clumps that produce a tight mass of tiny flowers. Their height and attractive flowers make them good candidates for border gardens.
 
When to Plant Sedum
•Sedum is usually bought in plugs or pots and transplanted into the garden. The best time to plant sedum is in the spring—after the threat of frost but before the heat of summer kicks in.
•Plant sedum seeds in early spring in well-drained, average to rich soil. (Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.)
 
Sedum with yellow flowers
Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
•Low-growing and vigorous species will tolerate partial shade, but most sedum do best in full sun. ◦If growing sedum in an area that gets long, cold winters (Zone 5 and colder), plant in full sun to improve overwintering.
•Sedum requires well-draining soil; it is susceptible to rot due to too much moisture.
 
How to Plant Sedum
•Space plants between 6 inches and 2 feet apart, depending on the variety.
•You can also plant divisions or cuttings: ◦For divisions: Dig a hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface, then place the plant in the hole and fill it in.
◦For cuttings: Simply place the cut end into soil and the cutting should have no trouble rooting under proper lighting and watering conditions.
 
Care
How to Grow Sedum
•Once established, sedum plants require little care. Check your plants regularly to make sure they are not too dry and water when needed.
•After flowering, cut back the plants to maintain their shape or contain them in one area.
•Remember to divide your plants in the spring or fall to control their spread. Throughout the summer, divisions and cuttings root readily.
 
Pests/Diseases
•Mealybugs
•Scale insects
•Slugs
•Snails
•Birds may eat the succulent foliage of sedum.
•Sedum humifusum makes for a great ground cover and has beautiful, bright yellow flowers
•‘Brilliant’ and ‘Autumn Joy’ upright sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, formerly Sedum spectabile) add bursts of bright pink and magenta to your garden
•‘Blue Spruce’ (Sedum reflexum) is a low-growing sedum with blue-green, spruce-like foliage and yellow flowers
taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/sedum
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net