Celebrate ‘Autumn Joy’

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Jennifer Manning

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Photo Credit: Jennifer Manning

The flower color of ‘Autumn Joy’ first appears in late August, and it takes on a bronzey hue by fall.

Looking for a great perennial for your fall garden? Search no more: ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum just may be what you’re looking for. Also known as Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’, this is one plant that keeps on giving year-round!

While ‘Autumn Joy’ really shines in all its glory come fall, it has wonderful attributes throughout the year. Springtime brings the emergence of sedum’s thick, succulent, green leaves. Then you start to notice the plant more come midsummer (typically in July), when its flower heads start to form. (They look a bit like broccoli heads.)

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Photo Credit: Jennifer Manning

‘Autumn Joy’ sedum emerges in early spring, offering a bright, fresh green color to your garden.

But it’s in late summer and early fall when the show really starts – the flower heads begin to color. They start out pink and slowly darken to red – and that’s when the butterflies start to sit up and take notice. By late fall, the flowers turn almost bronze – but don’t cut them back yet! That lasting bronzy color and thick leaf texture is a great addition to the winter landscape!

Facts

Another name for sedum is stonecrop, which literally means “sprouting from stone.” So if you guessed that this plant is great for rock gardens, you’re spot on!
There are other great Sedum spectabile cultivars besides ‘Autumn Joy’. ‘Vera Jameson’ has bronze foliage and rose-colored flowers, and ‘Brilliant’ has blue-green foliage and bright pink flowers.

Tips

‘Autumn Joy’ sedum normally doesn’t need to be staked unless it gets overcrowded or has been fertilized too much. To avoid staking, divide the plant every four to five years so the stems remain thick and strong and the flowers bloom more profusely.
Plant ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum to attract butterflies and bees to your garden. They love it!

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