Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Sedumn 'Autumn Joy' at peak color, backed by red switchgrass 'Hanse Herms' in George's back yard.
* Common name: Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
* Botanical name: Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’
* What it is: A common oldie-but-goodie, drought- and clay-tolerant perennial flower that gets broccoli-like flower clusters in early fall. Leaves and stems are light green and fleshy, reminiscent of cactus without the needles. Flowers start out pink and mature to a rusty color before ending up russet-brown.
* Size: Grows about 2 tall. Clusters can creep in width to about 3 feet across in a few years.
* Where to use: Best in full sun. A good choice for hot, dry border beds, along sunny driveways or along southern and western foundations. Just avoid low-lying wet spots or roots will rot. Will get leggy and floppy in shade. For better or worse (depending on your point of view), sedum is a bee favorite.
* Care: Seldom needs water after the first year. Fertilize in early spring with a slow-acting organic fertilizer such as Flower-tone or Bulb-tone. To keep plants compact, shear them in half in late May. Dig and divide if plants start dying out in center or expand too far.
* Great partner: At its best ringing or fronting ornamental grasses, especially red switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), which pairs perfectly color-wise.