Family: Crassulaceae
Common Name: Stonecrop

This large genus comprises more than 300 succulent species which occur mostly in northern temperate regions, but having some which are native to tropical areas. Ranging in size from tiny, mat-forming groundcovers to dwarf, shrub-like plants, they may be annuals, perennials or subshrubs. The plants are very variable and the leaves may be a variety of shapes and sizes, but they always come in crowded whorls. The five-petalled, star-like flowers, borne mostly in clusters, may be white, yellow, red-dish pink or violet. Many are grown in the open garden but a great number are popular as potted plants.

Species

S. acre, zone 5, known as wall pepper in Europe, has several varieties and forms, all with small, pale yellow flowers.

S. adolphii and S. nussbaumeranum, zone 9, both from Mexico and closely related, are very alike and often confused. The former has a fleshy, branching stem with alternate, thick, yellowish green leaves, 3.5 cm (1½ in) long, with reddish margins, which taper to a point. The flowers are white.

S. nussbaumeranum differs only in that the leaves are not margined in red.

S. bellum, zone 9, another Mexican species, forms a tight rosette of white, mealy leaves, which sends up a leafy, flowering stem in the winter growth period, although the dense, white flowers do not appear until the following winter. The rosette (lies after it produces tiny, basal offsets, which then take a summer rest.

S. morganianum, burro's tail or donkey's tail, zone 9, is a well-known species from Mexico, which sends out long, pendulous stems with blueish green,curved and pointed, thick leaves and terminal, rosy red flowers.

S. multiceps, zone 8, from Algeria, is a small, erect plant with the appearance of a miniature Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia).

S. pachyphyllum, pink baby's toes or jelly beans, is so called because of the pink tips on the ends of the thick, cylindrical, glaucous, blue leaves.

S. rubrotinctum, zone 9, which is from Guatemala, is a prostrate plant with glossy, green leaves just like jelly beans, which turn a reddish colour in the sun. The flowers are bright yellow. Cultivar'Aurora' is very attractive, with pink leaves striped longitudinally in light green.

S. sieboldii, zone 9, from japan, is another of the species which rests in rosette form when dormant, sending out drooping, red stems of blueish, almost circular leaves with serrated margins, borne in whorls, which turn red in autumn. The pink flowers form small, flat cymes. There is a variegated leaf form which makes an excellent basket specimen.

S. spathulifolium, zone 7, which comes from British Columbia and California, forms mats of small, flat, blue rosettes, about 2.5 cm (1 in) across, with yellow flowers.

S. spectabile, zone 7, grows to a height and spread of about 50 cm (20 in). It has large, spoon-shaped leaves and large cynics of pink flowers. The leaves die back to dormant rosettes for the resting season. Several cultivars of this sedum are available. Because of its flowering in late summer to autumn, it is a great asset in the garden.

S. stahlii, zone 9, coral beads, is a prostrate plant which has red leaves and produces bright yellow flowers.

Cultivation

Grow the hardy species in a well-drained rock garden or border, in full sun. In climates prone to frost, tender species are grown in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory, or as house plants, in well-drained, gritty, soil-based potting compost. Provide maximum light and an airy atmosphere. Keep plants only slightly moist in winter. Propagate from seed in spring, by division in spring, or from softwood cuttings in summer.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.