Sedum Purpureum

Description

Sedum ‘Purpureum’ – purple-leaved stonecrop

Botanical name: Sedum ‘Purpureum’
Common names: Stonecrop, sedum
Family: Crassulaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous/semi-succulent perennial
Habit: Clump- to mat-forming
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 10–30cm tall × 30–45cm spread
Foliage: Fleshy, purple-flushed foliage
Flowers: Flat heads of small, starry flowers, late summer (August–September)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; any pH; drought-tolerant
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 4–9
Exposure: Open, sunny; dislikes wet
Native range: Species of the genus native to the northern hemisphere
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets; sap may occasionally irritate sensitive skin

Sedum ‘Purpureum’ is a vigorous stonecrop with fleshy, purple-flushed foliage and flat heads of starry flowers in late summer. Drought tolerant and loved by bees, it brings rich colour to sunny borders and gravel.

GardenAdvice notes

A tough, drought-tolerant stonecrop grown for its fleshy, purple-tinted foliage and its late-summer flower heads, this sedum stores water in its succulent leaves and thrives on hot, dry, poor soils. It is a magnet for late-season pollinators and needs no more than sun and sharp drainage.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in well-drained soil in full sun — it prefers poor, gritty ground and dislikes rich, wet conditions, which cause soft growth and flopping. Ideal for sunny borders, gravel and rockeries. Space about 40cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Very low-maintenance. Water only while establishing, then it is highly drought-tolerant. Avoid rich feeding. Leave the flower heads standing over winter for structure and wildlife, cutting back in early spring. Lift and divide congested clumps every few years to keep them vigorous.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take stem or leaf cuttings in summer — they root very easily.
• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Vine weevil grubs can attack roots in containers, and plants may rot or flop in wet, rich soil. Sharp drainage and lean conditions keep it compact and healthy.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for sunny borders, gravel and rockery plantings and containers, where its purple foliage and late flowers extend the season and feed pollinators.

Wildlife value

The late-summer flowers are one of the very best sources of nectar for bees, butterflies and hoverflies as the season winds down.

Toxicity & safety

This stonecrop is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets, though the sap may occasionally irritate sensitive skin.

GardenAdvice tip

Sedums like this flower and stand up best on poor, dry soil in full sun — feed them or plant them somewhere rich and damp and they grow soft and flop open in the middle. Leave the seedheads standing through winter: they look beautiful under frost and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

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