Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' AUTUMN JOY
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy'
- Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy'
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-loh-te-LEH-fee-um
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Sedum is one of the most dependable and lovely succulent perennial flowers belonging to the family Crassulaceae (stonecrop) tracing its origins to China. In particular, the cultivar 'Autumn Joy' has ornamental appeal throughout the year. In spring, rounded, fleshy green leaves emerge, followed by light pink flower buds during the summer. As summer wanes, the flowers open to red and are quite attractive to butterflies and bees. In the winter season, browned flower heads are also eye-catching.
Sedum requires full sun and well-drained soil. It can suffer in overly-moist or fertile soils. To maintain the bushy shape and thick stems, plants should be cut or pinched back in early spring.
Despite having low toxicity if ingested, very young and tender stems and leaves may be eaten raw.
‘Autumn Joy’ can serve as a specimen or can be planted in small groups. It also works well in containers (indoors or outside) and planted in borders or rock gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealybugs, nematodes, scale, slugs, and weevils can be problematic. Wet soils cause rot.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Four-Season Garden Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hylotelephium
- Species:
- spectabile
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to butterflies and bees and provide a fall nectar source.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Stems and leaves, when very young and tender, may be eaten raw. Later, until they flower, they may be briefly cooked.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- in winter, browned flower heads are considered ornamental
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 4-5-parted, forming light pink buds that fully open to red in late summer to fall. Flowers are clustered in cymes 3"-6" across.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Succulent gray-green perennial herb with fleshy, flat or rounded leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Fleshy
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Pool/Hardscape
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
