Sedum 'Autumn Joy' ('Herbstfreude')

Plant Family

Crassulaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' ('Herbstfreude')

Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE

Plant Common Name

Autumn Joy Stonecrop, Hybrid Showy Stonecrop

General Description

Autumn Joy stonecrop is a popular garden perennial because it is beautiful and virtually indestructible, if given the right growing conditions. It is valued for its late season of bloom and waxy, succulent green leaves. In late summer to fall, strong, upright stems support broad, rounded clusters of flowers. These are small, numerous, star-shaped and light pink in bud opening to pale pink to rose. Stonecrop is herbaceous, so its foliage dies back in winter, but the dried, brown, upright flower heads may be left to provide winter interest.

Autumn Joy stonecrop is best growing in a full sun location with average garden soil and good drainage. It looks great when planted in masses with fall blooming composites and ornamental grasses. It may be also used in large rock gardens. Sedum flowers are very attractive to bumblebees, and on cool fall mornings they can often be seen "waking up" on them. Butterflies are also attracted to stonecrop.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  8 - 1

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  4 - 9

• Sunset Zone

  A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Perennial

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun

• Height

  2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

• Width

  18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm

• Bloom Time

  Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

• Native To

  Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Neutral, Alkaline

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Drought

• Growth Rate

  Medium

• Water Requirements

  Drought Tolerant, Average Water

• Habit

  Clump-Forming

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  Pink, Light Pink, Rose

• Fruit Color

  Light Green, Brown

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green, Gray Green, Gray

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green, Gray Green, Gray

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green, Gray Green, Gray

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  Yes

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Matte

• Evergreen

  No

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Bedding Plant, Container, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Edging, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Attracts

  Butterflies

• Self-Sowing

  No