American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), also called French mulberry, is a fast-growing deciduous shrub native to the southeastern U.S. It grows 4-6 feet tall and has an open branching form with arching branches. The genus name Callicarpa comes from Greek words meaning “beautiful fruit”. Starting in July, the plant bears clusters of small, pale pink flowers along the squared stems. These flowers attract lots of pollinators like butterflies and bees. Flowers develop into tiny drupes, a type of fruit, that become bright magenta as they mature in the fall.

The ovate to elliptic, oppositely arranged leaves are coarsely toothed; they range from 3-8 inches in length and 1-3 inches in width. The small, light pink to purple or blue tinged flowers are arranged in dense, axillary clusters along main branches in early summer and develop bright, lavender to violet ¼ diameter fruits in September. White-berried varieties are available.

Beautyberry is widely adapted to moist, well-drained soils containing lots of organic matter. It is not finicky as to soil type as long as drainage is adequate. Mulch first year planted shrubs to conserve soil moisture. Irrigate during prolonged periods of hot, summer drought to prevent early fall defoliation.

Optimum fruiting occurs in full sun, although beautyberry does tolerate part shade and do poorly in deep shade and is less fruitful. Prune in late winter to encourage more bushy, compact growth. Plants can be cut as far back as 1-2 foot from the base or maintain the natural open shape of the shrub. Remove any deadwood in spring.

Callicarpa americana

This shrub is perfect for attracting wildlife to the landscape while offering a marvelous pop of color in the fall. Beautyberry requires little maintenance and can grow in full sun to part shade. The best time to plant this shrub is in the fall and winter. Try planting many together to create an attractive native screen or hedge. An unusual cold harsh winter may result in stem dieback, but pruning back damaged shrubs will regenerate vigorous new shoots. Summer flowering and autumn fruiting will be unaffected.

Beautyberry is relatively disease and pest free. A member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), Lamiaceae, the sap from crushed leaves of beautyberry can repel mosquitoes and biting bugs both on livestock and human.

Leaf spots are possible but usually not a serious problem. Green leaves emerge in mid-spring on upright arching stems. Clusters of small lavender pink flowers bloom during the late spring and early summer. Clusters of purplish to bluish berries size and color-up in August through October. A pink-fruited and several white-fruited forms are available (see below).

ts colorful fruits are edible to humans as well, although some may be quite astringent. Fruits can be processed into jellies and wine. Their amazingly beautiful fruits are also very valuable to many types of wildlife as armadillos, foxes, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, and deer as a source of food with high moisture content. Over 40 species of songbirds eat the fruits which may persist into early winter.

Shrub size and its loose open form relegates American beautyberry to the back of a shrub border. In large landscapes mass several beautyberry shrubs together for a maximum fall berry show and winter wildlife habitat.

Cultivars

‘Pearl Glam’ Beautyberry (PW photo)

‘Welch’s Pink’ blooms in late spring into early summer and form beautiful pink berries in September that last into winter; grows 4-6 feet tall and wide, smaller than the species; initially found in east Texas and rated winter hardy in zones 7-11. A winter damaged shrub in zone 6b should roar back from the ground in spring.

Pearl Glam® is a hybrid form in which one of its parents is C. dichotima. What sets it apart is its unique dark purple foliage, bright white flowers, and loads of orchid-pink berries in autumn; space-saving growth habit at 4-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.

f. ‘Albofructa‘ produces white berries in the fall.

Obedient Plant – A Native Autumn Favorite

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and like garden mint, it spreads easily by rhizomes and easily self-seeds; the plant is not “obedient” in behavior. It is called “obedient plant” because each tubular flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, stays in its new position. It grows in sunny, wet poorly drained sites. Plant this pink or white flowering beauty in a rain or prairie garden. It is also known as “false dragon head”. (USDA hardiness zones 3-9).

‘Miss Manners’ Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

This native perennial blooms from July into late September obedient plant. Tubular, two-lipped pink (or white) flowers form in upright terminal spikes (each to 12-18 inches high) atop stems rising 3 to 3.5 feet high and 1 to 2 feet wide. Bees and butterflies love the blooms as well.

Obedient plant (the species) tends to seed-in and also spreads prolifically by rhizomes. The leading cultivar is a non-spreading form appropriately named ‘Miss Manners’. Its deep green, glossy foliage will please as will its snapdragon-like rose pink flowers. The seedling was chosen by Darrell Probst and is a shorter grower @2 to 2.5 feet high and 2 feet wide. Plants display a clumping habit with some secondary branching. Obedient plant promptly reblooms when deadheaded. Miss Manners tends not to seed-in and it grows on sturdy stems. ‘Summer Snow’ is a white flowering cultivar.

Full sun and/or low fertile soil is an ideal garden spot. Otherwise, plants tend to flop and require staking in light shade or in rich fertile soils. Prune back plants by half in late spring for increased branching and to minimize floppiness. Plants should be divided every 2-3 years to keep beds neat and not overcrowded.

Multiple planting obedient plant

Obedient plant has no serious disease or pest problems, and deer generally avoid it.  In wet summers rust disease may be troublesome. Periodically, inspect plants for aphids and spider mites. Include flowers in floral arrangements as the flowers “obediently” hold in almost any position you desire.

Harlequin Glorybower

Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendron trichotomum) is a rambling 15-foot-tall rambling shrub which can be easily shaped into a multi-stemmed 10-to-20-foot small tree. Glorybower shines in the late summer and early fall landscape. Its sweetly scented, very showy flowers attract the attention of gardeners as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. (USDA hardiness zones 7-10).

Where I garden in Northeast Tennessee (USDA zones 6-b and 7), glorybower is at its northern cold hardiness limit. An occasional harsh winter will bring on lots of pruning repair. here, some winters do not treat glorybower kindly. Significant reconstruction may be needed. Moderate pruning in late winter repairs most ills with fast growing glorybower looking great by summer.

Sweetly fragrant, white flowers smother the plant from July through August. Flowers are arranged in wide 6 – 9-inch clusters, comprised of individual white 1½ inch blooms and are borne on current season’s wood. Next up, in mid-September, the metallic looking topaz-colored fruits with beet red calyxes provide quite a show. Flowers are initiated on current season wood.

Foliage texture is bold with broad 4- to 9-inch-long dark green leaves providing cooling shade to a nearby deck or patio. Its pale-yellow autumnal leaf color offers little interest. Glorybower is rated disease, insect, and deer resistant. Expect to observe a few hummingbirds fluttering around summer flowers.

Fertile seeds develop in Fall

Glorybower grows in a moist well-drained average soil and in full to partial (minimum 6- hours) sunlight. A 2-year old established tree is only moderately drought tolerance and requires irrigation during long dry spells.

On a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, glorybower serves as a yard and street tree. Interesting fact: leaves when crushed emit a peanut butter aroma. Native of Japan and China this under-planted tree is sold primarily by on-line specialty nurseries.

Surprise / Resurrection lilies

Red Spider Lilies (Lycoris radiata)

The beautiful colorful large flowers of Spider lilies (Lycoris spp.) pop up overnight in summer (July and August). In the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states, Spider lilies are popular passalong plants. They are known by a number of colloquial names such as “surprise lilies”, “resurrection lilies”, “hurricane lilies”, “Equinox Lily”, and “naked ladies”. They are members of the Amaryllis family. Bloom time coincides with the summer hurricane season, hence the name “hurricane lily”. (USDA hardiness zones 6-10).

Bloom time is relatively short, their unique flowers are beautiful and are outstanding addition to almost any garden. Floral colors range from red to white to yellow. Flowers last 5-7 days, and decline. Bloom clusters may last two weeks or longer if protected from wind and sun. In Southeastern states, almost 2-3 months later, strap-like green leaves emerge in fall. In northerly climes, leaves emerge early the following spring and grow into late June and disappear.

Spider lilies prefer rich, well-drained and slightly alkaline soils and prefer a part sun/part shaded site. Plant bulbs 12 inches apart with the pointed end up and their necks peeking slightly above the soil surface in fall or early spring. If bulbs are planted too deep, they may not flower.

Spider lilies perform best with summer watering, but may resent being flooded. Their leaves and roots are toxic, so deer and rodents pass them by, Flowers attract butterflies, some bees, and an occasional hummingbird. They are relatively resistant to diseases and pests.

Over the years, numbers of blooms may decline which may be a sign of overcrowding. Divide and separate bulbs every 3-5 years. Carefully dig bulb clumps in late spring after leaves begin to decline or wait until after the summer blooming period when they are dormant. 

Red spider lily (L. radiata) produces 4-6 orange-red flowers on long stamens that curl upward, offering a spider-like floral appearance; grows best in partial shade and not in direct sunlight.

L. squamigera in a Johnson City TN Garden

Pink Surprise Lily (L. squamigera) blooms mid- to late-summer; leaves are broader and emerge in late winter and are gone by the time flowers emerge in summer.  

Electric Blue Spider Lily (L. sprengeri)is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with. In fall and summer blue and pink flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and regular water. Prefers to be dry when dormant. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. 

Where To Buy: Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC maintains one of the largest collections of spider lilies in the world. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, VA list them in their spring catalog; bulbs are dug and shipped in May and should be planted as soon as they’re delivered. Newly purchased spring bulbs may not bloom the first season.

Summer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf Hydrangeas

‘Snowflake’ Oakleaf hydrangea in mid-August

Oakleaf hydrangea is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Oakleaf hydrangea should be planted in a sheltered location and winter protection (e.g., mulch, burlap wrap) in northerly areas USDA Zone 5, particularly when not fully established. Oakleaf grows in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in sun to part shade. Shrub appreciates a 3–4-inch layer of organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and lessen weed pressure.

Fall foliage color is attractive—its leathery leaves turn purple, orange-bronze, or red. The peeling, exfoliating branches also provide winter color and texture. Shrub may lose significant numbers of flower buds or die to the ground in harsh winters (temperatures below -10°F), thus lessening or totally destroying all blooms the coming year. Attractive peeling cinnamon-color bark adds winter interest after the foliage has dropped.

Shrubs bloom occurs on old wood. Prune, if needed, immediately after flowering in June – July. Usually, little pruning is required other than to limit the shape (height/width) of oakleafs. Flower buds are formed in late summer into early autumn. Winter is NOT the time to prune oakleafs except to clean off dead or damaged stems.

Favorite varieties include ‘Ruby Slippers’, ‘Munchkin’, ‘Gatsby Girl’, and ‘Snowflake’. For a small postage stamp garden and in containers, plant Gatsby Gal® or ‘Sike’s Dwarf’, both dwarf @3-4 ft. tall (and wide) cultivars. Leaves and flower panicles are smaller, tough reliable growers that require very little annual pruning.

‘Sikes Dwarf’ oakleaf hydrangea

Prune to remove old (spent) flower clusters, particularly those that are no longer attractive. Clip off attractive floral trusses to add to decorative arrangements. The old, dried cones are included in the winter holiday wreaths and swags.

Oakleaf hydrangeas have no serious insect or disease issues. Some susceptibility to leaf blight and powdery mildew. Aphids and spider mites are occasional pests. Like all hydrangeas, oakleafs are toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Unfortunately, they’re only slightly deer resistant.

Ten Powerhouse Summer Flowering Perennials

Agastache ‘Black Adder’

For many years of floral beauty in your perennial garden, get off to a good start. Plant in an area in full or partial sun along with good air circulation to avoid mildew and leaf spot disease problems. Before planting, generously amend soil with compost and well-drained ground. Irrigate the first year to establish the landscape planting.

These U.S. native perennials should attract bees, butterflies and/or birds to your garden. All ten are hardy in at least USDA hardiness zones 5-8, and few are susceptible to serious insect or disease problems.

Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a clump-forming 2-4 feet tall, long-blooming (mid-summer to early fall perennial. Flowers come in several colors. ‘David’, ‘Jeana’, et al.

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) grows 4-5 feet tall with brilliant red blooms in summer. It will tolerate wet soil in full sun to part shade. It handles full sun in northern climates and appreciates partial afternoon shade in hot summer climates of the lower Midwest and South. Hummingbird magnet! 

Cardinal flower

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) grows 3-5 feet tall and 12-24 inches apart in well-drained soil. Anise hyssop may self-seed freely. The foliage emits an anise or licorice scent and can be used for flavoring in salads and teas. top cvs. ‘Blue Forune’; ‘Black Adder’, et al.

Bergamot, beebalm (Monarda fistulosum) is a summer flowering clump-forming member of the mint family member that grows typically to 2-4 feet tall with pink to lavender flowers depending on variety. also a honey plant and medicinal plant.

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) produce white to creamy white daisy flowers 1-4 feet tall depending on cultivar in various degrees of doubleness and size. ‘Becky’; ‘Whoops-a-Daisy’; et al.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – one of our finest native perennials. So many varieties to select from including ‘PowWow Wild Berry’; ‘Sombrero series, ‘Cheyenne Spirit’.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – ‘All-American Goldrush’ thrives in full to partial sun; grows 22-26 inches high and 40-44 inches wide and highly disease resistant; also try ‘Goldstrum’ and ‘Little Goldstar’.

Blazing Star or Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) has grass-like foliage and grows 2-4 feet tall with spiky blooms that attract butterflies, birds and bees. ‘Kobold’ (bright purple flowers); ‘Florestan White’ (white flowers).

Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’

Joe Pye (Eutrochium dubium) is a coarse, herbaceous perennial that typically grows to 3-5’ tall and to 2-4’ wide on purple-spotted stems clad with ovate, coarsely-toothed, strongly three-veined leaves (to 6” long) arranged in whorls of 3-4. This wetland species enjoys moist soils. ‘Little Joe’ (3-4 feet high x 1-3 feet wide) and ‘Baby Joe’ (2-3 feet high x 1-2 feet wide). (z 3-9)

Golden Aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) – this tropical-looking golden beauty with large compound leaves that measure up to 3 feet long. ‘Sun King’ emerges mid-spring with bright gold leaves attached to reddish brown stems. ‘Sun King’ thrives in 2-3 hours of early morning sun to enhance its bright golden yellow foliage all summer; under heavy shade, expect chartreuse to lime green foliage. (z3-9)

Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ – summer blooms

Hosta Garden Companions

Epimedium ‘Orange Queen’

Consider planting a colorful array of low shrubs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and spring bulbs with hostas. Additions must prefer partial sun to shade and moderate moist soil. Choose varieties with brightly colored foliage, structure, size, texture and color for contrast. Avoid aggressive vegetative companions.

Hosta companions can include anemone, assorted ferns, astilbe, lenten roses (Helleborus), false Solomon seas (Polygonatum), toadlilies (Tricyrtis), bellworts (Uvularia), violets (Viola), and sedges (Carex). Most perennials and hostas all thrive in cool, shady, moist environs. (USDA hardiness zones 4-9).

Barronwort (Epimedium) – delicate four-petaled flowers emerge in early spring, followed by small heart- or lance-shaped leaves. Patterned or tinted foliage remains evergreen in milder climates. Mass as a ground cover in challenging deep shade sites as an understory plant alongside hostas.

Variegated Solomon seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’) grows 1-3 feet tall with leaves painted with white edges. The white flowers have a sweet fragrance reminiscent of lilies. P. humile is a dwarf form, 6-9 inches tall and has relatively large flowers for its size.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) – low groundcover that forms a beautiful vegetative carpet between your hostas. Its purple-blue blooms stand out above the foliage, Select cultivars ‘Chocolate Chip’, ‘Burgundy Glow’, ‘Black Scallop’, among others.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Cranesbill (Geranium spp.) – wide variety of flowering ground covers, mostl blooming in spring into early summer. Among the best: G. x cantabrigiense ‘Biokova’, Bigroot cranesbills (G. macrorrhizum), ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (G. x pratense)

Hakone Grass, Japanese forest grass (Hakonenchloa macra) – thrives in partial to near full shade with gold (‘All Gold’) and gold striped (‘Aureola’) foliage among other variegated forms; graceful arching habit and fine texture contrasts beautifully with the bold foliage and mounding shape of hostas.

Ferns (three popular shade ferns) Japanese painted fern (Athryium pictum ‘Nippon’), Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) are excellent choices planted alongside shade loving hosta varieties.

Christmas fern

Siberian bugloss or brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) – a shade loving clump-growing perennial ground cover with spring blue forget-me-not like flowers; wonderful, variegated shade foliage that excels in zones 5-7 and hates summer heat and drought. ‘Jack Frost’, Jack of Diamonds’, many others. (zones 3-8)

Foamflower (Tiarella cordata) – an excellent ground cover in heavy shaded areas; its airy white flowers attract early pollinators. Top performing varieties are ‘Spring Symphony’ and ‘Brandywine’, among others.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) – bell-shaped flowers occur in early to mid-spring in shades of blue, pink, red or white. The lance-shaped deciduous foliage can be green, silver, white or spotted

Pigsqueak (Bergenia crassifolia) – a lovely 2-3 feet ground cover in shady areas; slow-growing and moderately drought tolerant; evergreen in temperate parts of U.S.

Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)- a hardy perennial ground cover with green, gold or variegated heart-shaped foliage and tubular flowers in colors of white, pink or lavender.

Sun King’ Golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’), aka Japanese spikenard – a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial grows rapidly to 3-5 feet tall and wide and golden compound foliage. Small clusters of tiny white raceme flowers shoot up 2 feet tall in summer and lustrous purplish-black berries follow.

More favorites? Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis), Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos (Dicentra) spectabilis), Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.), Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), and Assorted Ferns. Also plant pansies in the fall.

Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’

Celebrate Three New Summerific® Hibiscus Varieties

Summerific® is a trademarked series of Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) from Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan. It is a native perennial hibiscus that emerges from the soil in late spring and grows rapidly. Both their huge flowers and foliage are natural focal points in the summer garden. This long-lived perennial can be utilized as a low floriferous landscape hedge or as a thriller in containers. Their showy flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. (USDA hardiness zones 4-9).

Plants prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. At least 5 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. Like other dark-leaved cultivars, full sun is necessary to bring out the deepest tints of foliage color. Hibiscus shrubs are not picky about the soil quality as long as excess water is allowed to drain away. Of key importance is to irrigate deeply during seasonal dry spells. Plant grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Fertilize perennial hibiscus with a slow-release fertilizer after the first round of flowers fade, and a second feeding in mid-summer. You can also opt to feed plants using a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks until late August.

Plant perennial hibiscus in the garden before the heat of summer arrives; heavily mulched plants the first winter. In spring, cut back any remaining stems before new growth appears. Do not trim back stems in fall. Cut plants back near the ground with a lopper pruner or a saw in early spring.

Perennial hibiscus is one of the last perennials to emerge in spring, but its vigorous growth rate more than makes up for its late start. Be aware that Japanese beetles find these plants especially delicious for a short time in late spring and should be treated accordingly. Perennial hibiscus are also deer resistant.

Remove spent flowers to keep plant(s) tidy; deadheading blooms does not enhance re-blooming. In areas with cold winter temperatures, spread a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of hibiscus plants in the fall.

Three New Selections

Summerific® All Eyes on Me produces blush pink flowers that measure a staggering 8-inches wide with crepe paper petals and with a dark magenta eye; well-rounded shrub with dark green leaves. Plant Height: 3.5 feet tall and wide.

Summerific® Holy Grail has very dark, near black foliage that coordinates beautifully with the very large, 8-9-inch-wide deep red flowers. Plant Height: 4 to 5 feet tall (4.5 – 5.0 feet wide).

Summerific® Cookies and Cream is a night and day combination of matte black foliage and pure white flowers. Plant Height: 2.5 to 3 feet tall (3.5 to 4 feet wide). It grows exceptionally compact with sturdy stems. White, slightly cupped, 6-7-inch-wide flowers are borne from top to bottom of stems; cultivar blooms earlier and longer compared to standard varieties.

Summerific® Hibiscus Promotion is scheduled the first week of August each year.

Mimosa Tree – A Different Option

Over the hot spring and summer months, weedy Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) stand beautiful along U.S roadsides. During the rest of the year, people pay very little attention to this arboreal Asian beauty that inhabit a vast area from Iran to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). YES, this tree can be invasive. Read on.

Albizia julibrissin – flowers and foliage

From late spring through summer, mimosa struts an attractive fine textured green foliage and lovely flowering. It leaves out as late as mid-May in its northern range. Wild seedlings produce pale pink to dark pink feathery blooms from late June thru July. The showy fragrant flowers attract numerous bees and hummingbirds. Fall leaf color is insignificant.

Mimosa grows 20-25 feet tall of equal and broader widths. Under cultivation, it may achieve 35-40 feet high. It is at its best in full sun and in any adequately drained soil. It copes with subpar sites and often overpowering an abandoned urban lot or a roadside fencerow. Two most popular cultivars are:

Summer Chocolate’ exhibits fern-like dark purple foliage. Leaves start off green and turn fern-like dark purple. Cultivar grows 20 feet tall and wide, about half the size of the wild green seedling tree. (USDA zones 6-10).

Chocolate Fountain™ is a recently released weeping purple leaf cultivar from Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University. Deep purple, fern-like foliage graces the pendulous, weeping habit, enhanced by delicate pink flowers in summer. It grows 15-20 feet high/ 15 feet wide; cultivar is an ornate option planted in a patio container. (zones 6-10).

‘Summer Chocolate’ at Dallas Arboretum (late summer)

Mimosa tree tends to be short-lived, around 15- 20 years. Trees tend to colonize, depositing loads of seeds that beget lots of seedlings that take flight from miles away. Mimosa tree tends to improve soil tilth and nutrition.

Late winter thru early summer (February-July) is the ideal planting time. Prune out unwanted and dead branches in any season. Over the first two years, water deeply during extreme heat and dry spells. Fertilizing a mimosa tree is unnecessary as roots manufacture its own nitrogen.

Let me emphasize that bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to mimosa’s flowers. The fruits are flattened legumes and contain 5 to 16 seeds. Feathery flowers appear in June and seed pods typically mature in August or September. Seeds are widely dispersed by wind, water, or animals.  The seeds contain a neurotoxin that, when ingested, can be toxic to livestock and dogs.

Old mimosa tree (clump grower)

Groundcover Sedums In Containers

‘Bertram Anderson’ sedum in summer

Low creeping sedums (stonecrops) are super nice groundcover plants. Consider planting stonecrops in border fronts, on moderate slopes, containers and rock gardens. Plant in the partial to full sun, although many species grow well in light shade. The site should have good soil drainage. Sedums are also planted on “green roof” and “green wall” systems. I utilize groundcover sedums as niche plants and fill containers in sunny spots that need a splash of color.

Butterflies and bees come to visit their flowers in summer. These non-patented sedums are easy to propagate by cuttings in summer or dividing in spring or fall. Watch for slugs, scale, mealybugs, and aphids and spray accordingly. Rotting out of roots is possible in wet and/or poorly drained sites. Deer and rabbits generally snub sedums. In spring pinch back plants to force plants to grow thicker and bushier.

Sedum Collection planted in old wheelbarrow

These 6 sedum species are both dependable and ask for little maintenance… just a little hand weeding and liquid feeding with Miracle-Gro™ every 4-6 weeks. Some grow aggressively while others slow and steady.

‘Bertram Anderson’ – this slow-growing, ground-hugging sedum (4-6 inches high x 12-18 inches wide) forms a low carpet of small, burgundy-black leaves, spreading to form a small patch. Clusters of purple-red star flowers appear in late summer. It is well suited to the rock garden, or for edging, also a good choice for tubs and mixed containers. Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit in 1996. (Zones 3-9).

Russian stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum variegatum) forms a low mound of attractive green and cream-splashed leaves. Clusters of orange-yellow star flowers appear in summer. Deciduous; trim stems and dead flower heads back in early spring. A white-edged variegated form is steadfast and rarely reverts to green edged. Foliage colors are more intense and flowering more prolific in sunny areas. (Zones 3-9).

Sedum kamtschaticum in flower

Angelina sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) is loved for striking spiky yellow leaves that turn an attractive red-orange color when the cool weather arrives in the fall. This 4-inch-tall mat-forming sedum spreads rapidly. Fallen leaves tend to propagate freely. (Zones 5-8).

‘Angelina’ sedum in April

Sedum ‘Vera Jameson’ is a clump-forming 9-12-inch-tall sedum that features masses of tiny, star-like, dusky pink flowers in large, 4-inch across, flattened heads (cymes) and round purplish leaves growing in somewhat sprawling clumps. Stems and leaves start out bluish-green, and turn a rich, deep reddish-purple. (Zones 3-9).

Caucasian Stonecrop (Phedimus spurius ‘Dragon’s Blood’) is a highly popular sedum with deep purple (burgundy) foliage that turns entirely red by fall. Its pinkish-purple flowers bloom from midsummer into autumn. In spring plants arise from dormancy with green leaves and red flowers to follow. This 4-6 inch tall sedum spreads to 24 inches in a few years. (Zones 3-9).

John Creech Caucasian Stonecrop (Phedimus spurius ‘John Creech’) has medium green edged with reddish-tinged margins. Lower stem leaves are deciduous, and newer leaves near the stem tips are evergreen, typically turning deep burgundy in fall for overwintering. Leaves are arranged in two rows along the stems.

Phedimus spurium ‘John Creech’ in bloom

Fill container with a well-draining substrate such as a mix of 3 parts gardening soil, 3 parts coarse sand, and 1 part perlite. lastly, add a very thin layer of vermiculite or sphagnum peat moss to improve soil water holding capacity. Containers also should have multiple bottom holes for adequate drainage. Irrigation pots and garden collection beds during prolonged dry period lasting 10 days or more. After flowering trim off spent blooms; some sedums will repeat bloom if kept deadheaded.