Phedimus spurius
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Sedum spurium
- Phonetic Spelling
- FED-ih-mus SPUR-ee-us
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Stonecrop is a creeping, semi-evergreen, perennial ground cover in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). It is native to northeastern Turkey and northern Iran and grows 2 to 6 inches high and 2 to 3 feet wide.
Stonecrop requires full sun and well-drained, sandy or shallow rocky soil. Do not overwater, as it prefers very dry soil and is tolerant of drought. Propagate stonecrop by division or stem cutting.
The long-lasting, star-shaped flowers of stonecrop bloom in spring and summer and come in an array of colors, depending upon the cultivar. The leaves may be golden, gray or green, adding to this plant’s interest. The plant is a food source for wildlife, attracting bees, butterflies and songbirds. This is a recommended plant species for Triangle Area green roofs.
Add stonecrop to butterfly, children’s, pollinator, drought-tolerant or rock gardens. Also consider it for woodland, naturalized or recreational play areas. And it is well suited to growing as a houseplant.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Dragon's Blood'
green leaves tinged with purplish-red in the spring, red leaves in the fall; pink to red blooms - 'Fuldaglut'
mat forming habit, green to bronze leaves that transition to burgundy in the fall and winter
'John Creech'
- 'Pink Jewel'
creeping habit, green leaves with peachy-pink blooms - 'Red Carpet'
mat-forming, bronze and green leaves that transition to deep red in the fall and winter, deep reddish-pink blooms - 'Royal Pink'
low-growing habit with bright green foliage and deep pink flowers - 'Tricolor'
green leaves variegated with pink and white when grown in full sun, pink bloom
dense mat, 2 inches tall, small, fleshy, flat or rounded green leaves with pink flowers - 'Dragon's Blood'
- 'Dragon's Blood', 'Fuldaglut', 'John Creech', 'Pink Jewel', 'Red Carpet', 'Royal Pink', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Dragon's Blood'
green leaves tinged with purplish-red in the spring, red leaves in the fall; pink to red blooms - 'Fuldaglut'
mat forming habit, green to bronze leaves that transition to burgundy in the fall and winter
'John Creech'
- 'Pink Jewel'
creeping habit, green leaves with peachy-pink blooms - 'Red Carpet'
mat-forming, bronze and green leaves that transition to deep red in the fall and winter, deep reddish-pink blooms - 'Royal Pink'
low-growing habit with bright green foliage and deep pink flowers - 'Tricolor'
green leaves variegated with pink and white when grown in full sun, pink bloom
dense mat, 2 inches tall, small, fleshy, flat or rounded green leaves with pink flowers - 'Dragon's Blood'
- 'Dragon's Blood', 'Fuldaglut', 'John Creech', 'Pink Jewel', 'Red Carpet', 'Royal Pink', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Phedimus
- Species:
- spurius
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Eastern Turkey to Northern Iran
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- flowers attract bees and butterflies
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- good drought tolerance
- Edibility:
- Stems and leaves, when very young and tender, may be eaten raw. Later, until they flower, they may be briefly cooked.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White, pink to purplish star-shaped flowers on 6 in. stems in summer
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Slippery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves arranged in two columns along the stem; deciduous towards the stem base and evergreen near the tip; foliage takes on burgundy hues in fall
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Pollution
- Rabbits
