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Hylotelephium anacampseros

Previously known as:

  • Sedum anacampseros
  • Sedum lividum
  • Sedum rotundifolium
Phonetic Spelling
hy-loh-te-LEE-fee-um an-ak-KAM-ser-os
Description

Love Restorer is a herbaceous perennial and succulent whose stems radiate from the center with smooth spiraling, bluish-green to grayish-green leaves. The leaves gradually get smaller as they reach the ends of the stem. The plant is only a few inches tall and measures about 1 foot wide. Their flowers bloom in the summer and appear star-shaped, pale purplish-red in color. The roots are tuberous.  

This plant is a native of Southwest Europe including Spain, southern France, southwest Switzerland, and northern Italy. It is formerly of the genus, Sedum but was reassigned to Hylotelephium.

The genus name, Hylotelephium, is Greek in origin. "Hylo," translated, means forest or woodland. "Telephium" means distant lover. The species name, anacampseros, is also Greek. Translated, it means to return or turn back. "Eros" means love and desire. The common name, Love Restorer, reflects the belief that this succulent has the power to bring back lost love.

Love Restorer requires very little care and has a moderate growth rate. It prefers well-drained soils and is drought tolerant once established. This plant is propagated by seeds, division, or stem cuttings. It is recommended to sow the seeds in spring.  Plant division is best done in spring to early summer. Stem cuttings may be obtained during the summer.

It is grown as an ornamental to provide ground cover. Love Restorer is also planted as a "green roof" or "green wall" system to provide shelter for wildlife and insulation for buildings. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#succulent#groundcover#star shaped flowers#rock garden#pollinator plant#garden walls#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#succulent#groundcover#star shaped flowers#rock garden#pollinator plant#garden walls#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hylotelephium
    Species:
    anacampseros
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    This plant is grown commercially for use as a "green roof or "green wall" system. In Germany, it is cultivated as a medicinal plant. A poultice can be made from mashed leaves.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Pyrenees, Southwest to Southern Alps, South Central Alps
    Distribution:
    Native to Southwest Europe--Sapin, Southern France, Southwest Switzerland, and North Italy Introduced: Czechoslovakia and Norway
    Wildlife Value:
    This a pollinator plant for bees and butterflies. It also provides shelter for small wildlife.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heat and drought tolerant
    Edibility:
    The plant leaves are reportedly edible but bitter. They can be served either raw or cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Allow the seed heads to dry on the plant, then remove and collect the seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowerheads are tight and round. The flowers are star-shaped and cluster at the end of the stem. They are purplish-red on the interior and have a purple covered powdery bloom on the outside.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are grayish-green to bluish-green. They are rounded and up to 1.2 inches in diameter.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems decumbent, sparsely branched, and measure 6-8 inches long. The leaves are mostly arranged toward the tips of the reddish to pale green-colored stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Rabbits