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Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' AUTUMN JOY is often confused with:
Hylotelephium spectabile Sedum spectabile
Native alternative(s) for Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' AUTUMN JOY:
Hylotelephium telephioides
Opuntia humifusa Growing on granite outcrop (Madison, VA)-Early Summer
Sedum ternatum Sedum ternatum
Yucca gloriosa Plant in bloom
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hylotelephium spectabile Sedum spectabile
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Thymus vulgaris Thymus vulgaris
Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' AUTUMN JOY has some common insect problems:
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants
Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants
Armored Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage
Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' AUTUMN JOY has some other problems:
White-Tailed Deer

Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' AUTUMN JOY

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

Sedum is one of the most dependable and lovely succulent perennial flowers belonging to the family Crassulaceae (stonecrop) tracing its origins to China.  'Autumn Joy' is a cultivar with bright pink flowers that grows in clumps 1 to 2 feet tall and wide.

'Autumn Joy' is a succulent perennial requiring well-drained or gravelly soil with average to low fertility.  While the plant does well in full sun, morning or afternoon shade is desirable as well. 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.  The stems can be pruned in summer to obtain a shorter bushier plant but will delay bloom time.  This plant is drought and salt tolerant, resistant to browsing by rabbits, and requires little attention. It is easily rooted from stem cuttings. 

 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 seed heads are also eye-catching. 

Plant as a specimen or in small groups, in rock or crevice gardens. It also works well in containers (indoors or outside), planted in the middle of borders, along a foundation, or near a patio or walkway.  The attractive flowers succulent leaves and the fact that it attracts pollinators make stonecrop a welcome addition to a children's garden.  

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. 

 

More information on Hylotelephium.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Four-Season Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#specimen#succulent#pink flowers#nectar plant#salt tolerant#fleshy leaves#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#children's garden#playground plant#border planting#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#nectar plant fall#flowers late summer#border middle#walkway planting#small group plantings#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#HS302#bee friendly#container plant#wet soils intolerant#patio#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#specimen#succulent#pink flowers#nectar plant#salt tolerant#fleshy leaves#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#children's garden#playground plant#border planting#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#nectar plant fall#flowers late summer#border middle#walkway planting#small group plantings#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#HS302#bee friendly#container plant#wet soils intolerant#patio#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    in winter, browned flower heads are considered ornamental
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Fleshy
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Pool/Hardscape
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown, but possibly gastrointestinal symptoms. CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids sedine, sedamine, and others.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Stems